History of building2 min readUpdated July 2026
The traditional Cypriot house and what it still teaches
Courtyards, thick walls, iliakos and shade — passive design that predates the word.
Anatomy
The classical village house is organised around a courtyard, with the iliakos — a covered semi-open room — mediating between inside and out. Walls are heavy, openings small, and the roof shaded by vine or carob.
Modern translation
Balcony depth, external shading and cross ventilation in a contemporary apartment do exactly the same job with less mass. When a new building overheats, it is usually because one of those three was value-engineered away.