Resilient exterior

The aim of the project is to design a watchtower as a prototype for future structures situated in the Melanos hill -an ideal location offering panoramic views of the southern areas of Akamas.

 

Design Prototype

The Akamas peninsula is a unique part of the island due to its diverse selection of flora and fauna, which led to its integration in the Natura 2000 protected areas network. Τhe proposal is developed through a contextless design approach: it occupies a small footprint, includes a raised viewing platform, which provides unobstructed views in all directions and finally, serves as a shelter for the harsh weather conditions.

 

Spatial Organization

The ground floor is composed of a cluster of independent volumes constructed out of reinforced concrete and cladded with local stone that divide the base into three distinct sections. A sheltered staircase leads to the upper level, which includes the staff WC, a water tank, as well as solar panels.

A rectangular balcony wraps around the watchtower and is shielded by a cantilevered roof that offers unobstructed panoramic views of the landscape. The room, located centrally on this level, is made of cross laminated timber and cladded externally in thermally treated timber boards, featuring a compact kitchen and counter. The space offers shelter during severe weather conditions, while maintaining a clear visual field through large openings and a raised floor.

 

Material Selection & Fire Protection

The material palette that was selected highlights the local natural materials and integrates the building to the landscape. The roof, also made of cross laminated timber, is cladded with metal panels creating a durable exterior shell. Galvanized heavy-duty doors shield the ground floor when the building is not in use.

Permeable barrier

The project objective is to expand an existing property near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The site sits on a north facing slope, looking down to the Martis Valley and up to Lookout Mountain through a dense forest comprised of 100-year-old Jeffrey pine trees.

 

Landscape Integration

The design philosophy is to create a residence that responds to its immediate context, employing natural, local materials as well as a sustainability approach that successfully integrates the building in the wild landscape. The color palette derives from the surrounding forest, filled with basalt boulders, sugar pines, and rust colored pine needles creating a sese of calmness and connection with nature.

 

Interior Organization

The bedrooms are organized around an exterior courtyard and maintain a high level of privacy, while the communal spaces connect the courtyard with the landscape and the distant forest views. Glazing is used throughout the space, maximizing the amount of natural light entering the building and adding a layer of transparency to the space. A series of double, 20cm thick, insulated walls made of concrete construct the residence’s exterior shell and extend upwards, reaching a sloped, thin steel roof. Clerestory windows close the gap between the walls and the roof and create a sense of lightness in the space.

 

Natural Materials

Native cedar cladding is used for the interior walls, while basalt tiles are chosen for the flooring. Metallic details made of exposed steel complement the natural materials. The kitchen is constructed from black and is placed at the center of the open-plan space. The furniture selection is discrete, following the same subtle tones and material textures of the residence.

 

Fire Prevention Strategy

Situated in a dense wild forest, the residence incorporates fire-prevention systems during its early design stage as well as its construction. More specifically, non-combustible materials such as concrete and steel-frame tempered windows form a fire resistive barrier, which results to an exterior shell that protects the interior spaces.