Lap Pool House

Inspired by the geophysical forces that shape the island’s character, this residence in Tinos reinterprets the encounter between stone and air -an encounter that leaves its mark on the land’s morphology.

Design Philosophy

Where air and stone collide, one element always prevails: either forming linear projections or shaping cavities enclosed by stone. This dynamic, minimalist residence expresses these spatial qualities, negotiating the parallel relationship between openness and introversion -between visibility and shelter- and exploring how space is experienced. The design creates vantage points and protective cavities that emerge both from within and above the terrain. The client envisioned a personal retreat: a place of seclusion with nothing more than a long, narrow pool for exercise and a sheltered sleeping area.

Translating both the reading of the landscape and the client’s desire into architecture, the design consists of two elongated volumes beneath a planted roof -one enclosed for the bedroom, and one open for the pool. A third enclosed volume, set perpendicular to the first two, serves occasionally as a guest house. To evoke the feeling of carved stone, the residence is built entirely of exposed concrete, with the imprints of the wooden formwork left visible. The surfaces are thus adorned with patterns reminiscent of those found on tree trunks -markings created by nature itself. The structure is embedded in the land, revealing itself as a fissure in the terrain. The roof is planted exclusively with native shrubs found on the site’s perimeter, preserving unobstructed views for neighboring homes.

Pool Design

The large rocks unearthed during excavation were carefully selected and repositioned around the building, filling voids and creating a horizontal transition zone between the artificial and natural landscape. The pool -the focal point of the composition- is oriented so that its axis aligns precisely between two headlands that descend symmetrically toward the sea. The directional lines established by the pool’s orientation also guide the alignment of the two sleeping areas. Their openings are positioned to frame views of the horizon. In keeping with the client’s desire for complete seclusion, each sleeping unit features its own enclosed courtyard and a private, doorless bathroom.

Functional Layout

The sheltered space between the main volumes accommodates only a kitchen, a living area, and an auxiliary bathroom. The sense of a cave-like retreat is heightened by sliding corner glass panels that fully retract, merging interior and exterior without the interruption of columns. From the rear -backed by the excavated rock- natural light and air flow into the space, enhanced by three strategically placed skylights. The result is a sequence of autonomous spaces: some fully open and exposed, others turned inward and completely protected. The linear water element running between them introduces a sense of fluidity. Ultimately, the residence embodies the qualities of the natural forces that shape the landscape, offering a contemporary interpretation of the ongoing dialogue between the elements of nature.