Holiday Residence in Mykonos

Refined simplicity

An existing residence on the coast of Ornos was transformed into an elegant, luxury holiday home equipped with guest houses and a spa. It comprises of a series of successive terraces that reach down to the sea, maximizing the plot’s orientation and topographical features.

Open Layout

The main building, positioned at the plot’s highest level, boasts impressive flat roofs, white sculptural shapes, and wooden doors that evoke the traditional architecture of Mykonos. Its immediate outdoor space, featuring a carefully designed pergola that houses a dining table and seating benches, overlooks a large swimming pool situated above the guesthouses nestled into the hillside.

Wide steps and dry-stone walkways guide visitors from the main house to the lower level of the guest rooms and descending further down to an outdoor area adorned with a large table and bar beneath a reed bed canopy. This space is characterized by an outdoor kitchen and a series of dividers made of dark artificial rock. When reaching the lowest level, a final plateau emerges, leading to a pier at the shoreline. The in-between slopes are planted with cacti and other drought-resistant plants, shielding the exterior spaces from the heat.

Design & Materials

The exterior’s architectural style seamlessly transitions into the interior of the house, blending straight lines with soft curves in a contemporary, minimalist design. The main house is comprised of a kitchen, living room, master bedroom, and a children’s bedroom and playroom. Its walls are smooth and off-white, made of successive layers local stone, marble dust, and pigments, which are meticulously waxed and polished. Light-coloured wooden beams in the living and spa areas, along with exposed local stone from excavations, introduce additional textures and contrasts to the overall colour scheme.

The guesthouse wing is furnished with elegant, simple elements. Platform beds and wooden reclining chairs as well as a series of chairs are upholstered in off-white fabrics, reminiscent of Cycladic sculptures.  Positioned in front of mirrors the furniture’s forms are accentuated through thin, dark bronze frames. Bronze light fixtures and sculptural tables painted in gold and silver further complement the design aesthetic. Finally, the alcoves constructed behind the beds subtly reference the interiors of Mykonos’ famous dovecotes, adding a touch of architectural charm to the project.

The guesthouse bathrooms maintain an equally sophisticated ambiance: free-standing stone bathtubs and pedestal washbasins take centre stage, accented by bronze taps and rain-effect shower fixtures. The shapes of both the mirrors and the side wall recesses are harmoniously integrated with the bedroom’s style. Throughout all rooms, the seemingly simple yet meticulously considered colour palette is enhanced with wooden accents, dark leather, bronze, and gold details, as well as shades of grey and light brown stone.Αρχή φόρμας

Custom Furniture & Lighting

The minimally designed fixtures, furniture, and untreated linen colour fabrics, blend seamlessly with the interior architectural aesthetic. In the spa areas, pebbled floors offer a tactile roughness, while the bathrooms are clad with large, oval stones. A single piece of marble is used for the sink and countertop, while a series of shelves are embedded in the walls. A large opening offers views of a small, enclosed garden. In the massage room, instead of using traditional shelves, rectangular pockets are built into one wall. The sink, is crafted from grey stone, retaining its natural, rough texture, apart from its polished top.

Bronze taps and pendant wall lights introduce a contrasting touch of luxury. Large sliding openings oriented towards the sea allow an ample amount of natural light and ventilation to enter the gym. Furnished with dark brown leather and wooden equipment, the gym features a few distinct sculptural tables in the same dark wood tone. The hammam’s design draws inspiration from the local cave dwellings in the Cyclades, nestled within the island hills, forming a semi-circular enclosed space with a dome made of irregular curves. Finally, the residence’s technological infrastructure and architectural lighting are subtly integrated into the design, resulting to a serene yet striking visual effect.