Residence in Nicosia

Sculptural imprint

The residence seeks to spatially capture the encounter between memory and oblivion, emerging from the lived experiences of its place, where the play of childhood years was transformed into a tangible architectural intention. It is a gesture rooted in light, air, the immaterial, and the silence of the Mediterranean hinterland.

 

Design Philosophy

The project is located in Kato Deftera, on the outskirts of Nicosia, in an area defined by a mild, dry Mediterranean microclimate and a landscape of low valleys and plains. Agricultural use of the land persists, engaging in a dialogue with the new residential fabric. The house does not intrude; it integrates, allowing the site to remain the protagonist.

The design process begins with the floor plan, which structures the logic of dwelling through a typologically compact, disciplined core. Two distinct single-storey volumes, placed in parallel, define an intermediate courtyard that becomes the spatial and experiential heart of the home.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The volumes accommodate the primary functions of the residence, while two “boundary walls” complete the inward-looking envelope, establishing conditions of protection and seclusion. The plan rejects unnecessary circulation areas, guiding movement through clear, intentional functional zones. Living centers around the courtyard: a solar, social, collective, and at the same time introspective space.

The house unfolds from the inside out, with the unbuilt perimeter zone acting as a natural buffer. Vegetation is planned to engage with the built form, offering organic integration into the landscape and softening the presence of the structure over time. Orientation follows bioclimatic principles: living spaces face south, opening to the courtyard; service spaces are arranged to the north, overlooking the plain and Mount Pentadaktylos. The first volume, oriented toward the street, forms the façade and filters contact with the public realm. It houses storage, an atelier, technical areas for the swimming pool, and an outdoor kitchen.

 

 

Materiality & Geometry

The residence does not seek to impress; it rejects material excess, superficial textures, and verbose geometries. Its architectural language is rooted in simplicity, spatial clarity, and the primacy of light. Set upon a modest plinth of exposed concrete, it becomes a sculptural invention, a gentle imprint within the landscape. A structure that listens and remembers.