Varying elevations
Situated on a plot of land outside the settlement of Akrotiri, a modern, stone residence is designed and constructed. Morphologically, it consists of four separate volumes in different sizes and shapes, placed slightly offset from the plot’s main axis. Gardens, water features, and glass walkways create distinct exterior spaces and connect the individual volumes.
Design Philosophy
The rectangular plot has its long side facing south, offering amphitheatrical views of Souda Bay and the White Mountains. To the north, the plot borders a section of forest and a high-traffic road. The building is aligned parallel to the longer side, ensuring that all spaces benefit from clear views and an optimal north-south orientation.
On the south side of the plot, all the main spaces are divided into atriums with varying levels of privacy and different uses. In contrast, the north side of the buildings is inward-facing, with an artificial mound -a green hill- serving as a barrier between the main road and the structures, significantly reducing traffic noise.
Functional Organization
The four volumes house numerous bedrooms, common areas, offices, service rooms, and an outdoor dining and barbecue area, all spread across varying elevations. A shallow pond between the second and third buildings extends from the main pool, which features a glass bottom, allowing natural light to illuminate the basement and create a striking visual effect. The basement includes a gym, sauna, baths, a specially designed massage area, a cinema room, and a playroom with a billiard table and bar. Additionally, a tennis court is located on the south side of the plot, while the gardens are planted with local tree species.
Material Palette & Sustainability Strategy
The building features walls clad in local stone and concrete roof slabs. The exterior is finished with natural mortar in natural earth tones, complemented by hidden aluminum frames, which offer a minimal aesthetic. The interior floors are covered in marble and wood, walls are coated with mortar, and the furniture is made from natural oak.
The building’s orientation and positioning, its extended permeability along with its advanced sustainable technology, transform it into a bioclimatic and partially passive structure. More specifically, photovoltaic panels, thermal insulation, underfloor heating and cooling combined with fan coils, and various automation systems, turn the project into an energy autonomous residence.