The ground floor of the Hayat (in Turkish it means life, activity) is a paved, semi-enclosed space. It housed the oven, the kitchen, the washhouse and the daily activities of the household. These infrastructures are not preserved and the space has been transformed into an exhibition area.

Outside of the open colonnade, there is an elongated courtyard. The high, stone wall around it ensured the privacy of the women’s quarters.

Opposite the women’s entrance there is a fountain, where a marble ancient colonnade is integrated. The fact that the building was the only residence in the city that had a private fountain, certifies the financial prosperity of its owner. The water was coming from the mountains of Lekani and was channeled to the Old Town of Kavala through a long water supply system and the old Aqueduct (Kamares).

Part of the Hayat is occupied by the cellar, the floor of which was originally covered in earth to keep the space cool and the supplies fresh. This was converted into guest lavatories.