The earliest structures were very simple, often consisting of just two rooms and an open porch. Mosaic floors were common, as were gables and columns, but those were often reserved for the rich. Many homes had a wide passage in the center that was as long as the house itself and opened into a patio or a courtyard.

Greek homes were built around a courtyard for outdoor activities. Homes were usually made of sun-dried bricks. They had few windows, for protection and to keep heat out. Rooms included a kitchen, bedrooms, and an “andron” for guests. The roofs were flat and often used for storage or sleeping.

According to Vitruvius, the ancient Greek house was divided into a private and an official part. The official part of the house was called Andronitis/Andron (for men) and the private Gynaikonitis/Gynaeceum (for women), without being used exclusively by women, but being a place where the whole family spent their day.