SEA Apartments is a residential project located in the upper village of Dhërmi. The village is well known for its fantastic beaches that spark tourism during summer, stone houses, its many religious objects (300 houses & 40 churches) & the olive trees. The latter has historically promoted olive oil production, which used to be done through olive oil collection and pressing mills, but now the process has been automatized.
Project Name: SEA Apartments
Studio Name: Erazmia Gjikopulli
Photographer: Erazmia Gjikopulli
This project is placed within a demolished establishment which used to be a space to collect and press the olives, but had remained a ruin for decades. The original stone walls of the building have been preserved and polished using traditional stone wall techniques. The windows also maintain their original placements, but the ones downstairs have been elongated in order to bring more light within.
The building’s volume has been maximized to accommodate two apartments: SEA 1 and SEA 2. They have separate entrances on the northwest and southwest sides, while the other facades have no windows due to site constraints.
SEA 1, is the apartment on the ground floor. As you enter the house, the whole plan opens up and you can get an overview of all the spaces at first glance. The service areas (kitchen & toilet) are placed next to the blind walls. The main spaces flow fluidly into one another due to the bedroom being divided only by a glass partition. The reasoning behind it was a really small existing window where the bedroom was supposed to be. The glass partition, that later turned into the most distinctive feature of the house, was meant to let more light & the window views into the bedroom. You can lie in your bed and still enjoy some TV or the warmth of the cosy fireplace in winter.
SEA 2 is the apartment on the upper floor. It features more clearly defined spaces, centered around a wooden roof that pays tribute to Dhërmi’s architectural heritage while bringing warmth to the interiors. Minimalist furnishings are thoughtfully chosen to enhance the verticality of the space.The low-set windows built into the thick perimeter walls, double as comfortable seating nooks. The living room extends onto a small balcony outfitted with built-in wooden stools, offering an idyllic view over the village and the Ionian Sea.
The apartments are designed to capture the essence of an authentic Dhërmi experience. From the thick stone walls with deep-set windows perfect for sitting and taking in the view, to the sweeping vistas of the sea and the historic village visible from almost every room, each detail has been thoughtfully crafted. In summer, the gentle hum of nearby squares drifts in, accompanied by the ringing of church bells or the soft murmur of wind and rain.
This sense of place is deepened by the involvement of local Albanian craftsmen and builders, whose work shaped not only the structure but also its soul. Handwoven carpets, evocative local photography, carefully curated Albanian books, and handcrafted ceramic kitchenware bring a rich cultural texture to the interiors—grounding the home in tradition while celebrating its surroundings.
