Storefront near Salonica market becomes a 'passer' small home

Designers Babis Papanikolaou and Christina Tsirangelou imagined living and working in one of the tiny 1920s storefronts in their hometown of Thessaloniki, Greece. When they found a rundown former fabrics shop (turned fishing accessories store) for rent, they began a DIY remodel to convert it into a tiny home.

Like the other tradesman’s shops created after the 1916 fire in the city, the footprint is just 16 square meters with a steep set of stairs leading to a second floor. The couple left the space as raw as possible, adding just a steel frame to support an airy kitchen. Between the two floors, they added a net (a nod to the shops’ fishing supplies history) to serve as an open-air mezzanine lounge space.

These types of shops weren’t normally constructed with bathrooms (shopkeepers used communal toilets) so the designers added a toilet and shower to the basement: a space with a curved and flowing geometry that now resembles a Turkish bath (also a nod to the city’s still visible Turkish history: the Bezesteni Ottoman Market is down the street).

The couple, 157 + 173 designers, named the tiny home “passer domesticus” after the common sparrow. “Passer” is a reference to someone who passes by: both the nomadic types who rent the space to sleep and the city’s long tradition as a point along the east/west trade route from Europe to Asia.

[tyxeri]

Great city. I have spent many years there. This city has still a healing power on me. However stressed and depressed I am, a few minutes on the waterfront are enough to get me back standing o my feet.

[Transportia]

Your channel to me exemplifies the best kind of business model where everyone wins--the places being showcased, you the videographer, and all us tubers, unlike so many channels that are clearly nothing more than superficial selling mechanisms. Every videographer is selling something, themselves or an idea if not a product (and of course all the view metrics and affiliate links) but so few understand that great vids worth watching again are more than flash techniques cut together with trendy music (even if the handmade vid ethic you use is also kind of trendy, yours has real content). THANK YOU, Kirsten. And your family. Always a pleasure to travel along with you all.

[katerinapas]

Thessaloniki is my birthplace and always has a special place in my heart. I am very pleased to see fellow architects produce such high level of work with respect to our origins. Well done for all your videos Kirsten it is such a joy to watch!

[oscarpyda]

This is one of the best channels on YouTube! Great job

[blueman]

It never ceases to amaze me, the fascinating and free thinking people you manage to film. Thank you for bringing us along.

[annawessman]

If I could wish for perfect, this would be it! Complete, no more, no less!Can really see the wine, olives and bread! I must start living like this!

[calliecutiepie]

What a fantastic way to start off your Spring/Summer season. We moved away from the big city 6 years ago and our girls thank us all the time. Best decision ever! Wonderful and beautiful video, thanks for sharing.

[deepgreen]

Anything is possible. I'm often reminded of that when I visit your page. Never disappointed. Thank for sharing.

[leoneranger]

I really like the architects. They are very endearing and I appreciate their intention and thought process. Lovely location to find such a useful, simple space - I'd love to stay there over a week and explore the city 👌🏾🙌🏾✨

[williamhoskins]

Cute and intelligent couple. Thanks Kirsten

[edmcgowan]

Thank you again. I love the way they have kept the Sentiment in a modern place of their own. They kept the stuff worth keeping. Not easy to do, and they have done it well.

[JCHansen]

Kirsten, I've been watching your videos for years. I just want to say thank you for the creative inspiration and dedication to showcasing what is possible.

[testpilot]

Congratulations !!!🎉 This video has won the most amazing, creative, beautiful, award .🥂🍾👌🥇🏆🎈🎉🎊🎈🎉🎈🎊🎊🎈🎉🎈🎈

[wendysalter]

This is so chic and yet true to tradition, I love it! The white and green stone and terracotta bowls are perfect in modern life yet brings history to life. Excellent design and innovation as well as living the culture at street level again. Well done!

[selcouth]

Love all the quirks of this place. The irregular measurements and makeshift adjustments. Definitely has to be more memorable living there than in the typical house in the suburbs.

[paulhanson]

Love this video. To me, the Greek people and their way of life are equally beautiful. I've never been to Thessaloniki before but would love to visit.

[greeknthyself]

what a lovely hostess with beautiful smile. the guy is ok too :-)

[jmsaltzman]

I love it! One of the most interesting and liveable spaces you’ve shown us, thanks for the video. I do wish more of these spaces were lived-in full time; the empty refrigerator is always a tell :)

[kimw]

You and your channel are one of my favorites on YouTube. The other is my 10 year old grandson's channel (which I kind of have to pick). I've been watching this channel for for 5 years now. And I'll keep watching another 5 and longer!!! I LOVE your content!! Thank you

[ChristiPetaloti]

i feel so amassed you visited my home town. world is a small place