The post Review of Material Matters vol. 7 | Facades: Metal, Wood, Glass & Cladding was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

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The post Residence in Antiparos was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

The post Residence in Antiparos was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

The post The 80 | Office Building in Athens was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

The project comprises two adjacent vacation houses on the northeastern edge of Paros island, in Santa Maria.

During the last years, Paros has been one of the most rapidly developing Cycladic islands, being a popular destination in the domestic and international tourist flows. Beside the increase in visitors’ volume, services have been upgraded and demand has become more selective, and this has had an impact on the programmatic requirements of vacation houses.

On the one hand, users seek relaxation and breaking away from their urban lifestyles; on the other, they seek the same amenities that they enjoy during the rest of the year. The project had to confront two challenges: devising a place-specific solution and finding a balance between tradition and modernity.

Both houses, located at the last property north of Santa Maria, bordering the Natura area of natural preservation, face east with uninterrupted views to Naxos (east) and Delos (north).

This orientation, beside the view and the ground morphology, results from the need to protect the residents from the strong summer wind from the north, and from the view of neighboring buildings on the south.

This protection is enhanced with the use of architectural elements such as stone walls, shades, and pergolas, that create hospitable nooks.

In the building’s aesthetics, the pair of tradition and modernity finds a balance that is redefined each time, according to the individual features of each building and user.

In this case, one aspect of the project involves the large scale, increased technical requirements, the need for high-level services and living, paired with the intention for clear lines and spaces, consistent with the teachings of the modern movement.

On the other side lies the restrained Cycladic architecture, small scale, the simplicity of island living and the rough feel of traditional materials. The balance between all these elements became the main driving force in the architecture of both houses: Technology combined with tradition, comfort with simplicity, clarity and texture, contemporary and vernacular.

ISV Architects

The post Two vacation houses in Santa Maria was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

It is with great sorrow that we were informed of the passing of architect Tassos Sotiropoulos, founding member of ISV Architects. In his memory, we republish the curatorial note by Elias Constantopoulos, President of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture, that was written for the anniversary issue “40 Years: ISV Architects”, on the occasion of the eponymous event at the SNFCC in December 2018.

“Let us not hesitate to admit it.

The architecture of ISV is unreservedly modern, in the sense of its character, of its expression, of its “style”; the term implies “contemporary”, while their architecture is, in fact, timeless. Let me take the liberty of a hyperbole: Until today, there is nothing more “modern” than the “modern” itself. The work of ISV, especially involving housing in all its iterations – detached homes, apartment buildings, hotels – belongs to a significant tradition within Greek architecture, having remained faithful to modernism.

The architecture of ISV is provocative, because it is addressed to a high-end clientele, capable of having it actualized. Its opulence overshadows its fundamental virtue, which is the product of an uncompromising design ethos. Grand, lavish gestures, stated with clarity and transparency, designate the “proper” positioning of a person in space, converse with the landscape, and make the most of all the elements so generously provided by the Greek environment.

The architecture of ISV is impressively well built. They are exceptionally “professional” –a rare occurrence in our country-, undertaking the supervision of the entire design process, and control over the outcome. Having been tried over several years in many small-scale retail projects, they developed a particular sensibility for detail: In their interiors, where not only the eye but also the hand touches upon construction, their obsession with flawless detailing has been an imperative from the outset. Attention to structural and aesthetic fitness, regardless of whether it involved a building or a piece of furniture, survived into the larger-scale projects that followed.

The architecture of ISV is delightful. It captures the senses with its excessive aesthetic moderation, its composition of seemingly endless horizontal and vertical planes, interlocking the blue of the sky and the sea in their composition, as another element in their architectural canvas. This is an architectural conception typical of Mediterranean Europe, seeking to express the elemental by creating atmospheres of immaculate whiteness – the charming foundation myth of the Modern.

Their houses for “the few” –an unattainable dream of dwelling for “the many”- signal the ideal model of a refined life close to nature, a dream of the Enlightenment as well as of a contemporary “lifestyle”; not an eclectic, past “lifestyle”, but one consistent with Valsamakis and Zenetos, with California of Koenig and Neutra, radiating a feeling of joy for the “good life”, an optimistic cosmopolitanism made difficult to grasp in our current situation.

The architecture of ISV begs the challenging question: Can such high quality be achieved with different means, with coarse, cheap materials, in more modest conditions? The single-family house in Kerameikos brings about such a promise. It is in our hand to adopt such practices, considering the quality of the private and public environment, given that architecture is an indicator of the contemporary ethos of a civilization.”

40 Years ISV Architects

The post The Unreservedly Modern Architecture of ISV was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

The residence is situated on Pani hill within the Alimos municipality, on a steep inclined site, with a north-south orientation axis and panoramic views to the sea.

The basic idea behind the synthesis was the articulation of the residence in two distinct units containing its basic functions, arranged in two levels. The first and lowest comprises of the private functions of bedrooms and bathrooms and is expressed as a more compact, heavier volume in exposed concrete. On the contrary, the higher level unit comprises of the communal functions of the residence, such as spaces for entrance, dining and living and is expressed as a lighter prism with thinner sections and slender analogies ruled by transparency and the colour white. These counterpoint units are framed by the vertical stone volume of the fireplace which extends to the roof terrace, and the linear metal cover incorporating horizontal and vertical awnings to control insolation on the first floor’s outdoors area.

The two linear, basic volumes are aligned in parallel to the site’s face towards the street, as well as to the natural ground’s contour lines. Due to the intense slope and to achieve an as smooth and satisfactory building layout as possible, regarding the topography, geometry and site plan, the entrance occurs at the street level, through a double-height space containing the staircase and allowing a thorough view to the residence’s main levels. The swimming pool is also placed on this level, posing a great challenge to the structural design.

Key factor to the internal and external design was the view to the sea, which designated the linear development – layout of the main uses, and an as much unified and open plan internal arrangement as possible.

ISV Architects

The post Villa in Alimos was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

An existing building has been renovated into a home for a family of four, in Voula, Attica. The structure of the building has been preserved and added to where necessary, so that it may fulfil the intrinsic functions of the new residence.
The existing building, built as a stand-alone construction, was situated on site, ignoring its rather interesting, natural contour. Additionally, its architectural language was dominated by roofs, with intense and varied inclines, a diversity of openings and balconies in disparate shapes, creating an unpleasant aesthetic result which was at odds with the serenity and peacefulness that a residential building should convey.
During the re-evaluation process, the architects aimed to simplify the geometry and elements of the building volume, in order to create a form which would be characterised by architectural clarity and integrity, as well as to landscape the immediate surrounding area, so as to restore its harmonious relationship with the building.
The residence was separated into two units; one for the living areas, covering two levels at the western section of the building and the other for the bedrooms; unfolding over three levels at the eastern side. Simultaneously, it was redesigned to access the habitable spaces from the inside out, so that both internal and external areas could participate equally in the residential experience. The elevation facing the street was addressed as a barrier, shielding the family from its intrusion; while the elevation facing the courtyard was freed from all unnecessary, morphological elements and opened up to nature.
The main colour chosen for the interior and exterior of the building is white, in order to showcase the clarity of its architectural form, while the retaining walls in grey granite, restrain soil and create courtyards. Frames are metal, in a black hue and parapets are in glass, adding to the austerity of the architectural vocabulary.

ISV

The post Residence in Voula was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

Apartment inside Atrium building facing London park.

The apartment belongs to Atrium in Central London, a modern building with an innovative design and character, overlooking the gardens of Regent’s Park, enjoying the serenity and exclusivity of this elegant area.
The apartment consists of an open-plan living/dining area, a separate kitchen, four en-suite bedrooms, a WC and many auxiliary rooms.
The entrance, with a large mirror and artwork, leads through a hallway to the characteristic circular, glass side of the building, where the living and dining areas are located. The hidden lighting and wave curtain along the entire length of the openings highlight the space’s morphology, while creating a theatrical atmosphere. This feeling is amplified as the interior extends to the wooden deck balcony, which offers view of Regent’s Park and the canal.
The kitchen is a separate, linear space with Corian countertops in shades of grey and glossy white lacquer. All bedrooms are easily isolated from the living room and offer spacious bathrooms and large wardrobes.
The wooden floor is a characteristic feature of the apartment and serves as a unifying tool, as it extends to all spaces. Large glazing from floor to ceiling dominates throughout the apartment, allowing a connection with the outdoors and filling the interior with light – which defines shapes and highlights the materials as they reflect on the surfaces of white lacquer or glass.
Selected items from famous Italian brands and custom-made furniture furnish the interior. The decoration is completed with special accessories and artwork from many artists, all in a harmonious colour combination with the apartment’s neutral colour palette. The final result is a striking example of modern luxury living: minimal aesthetics in line with cosmopolitan life in London.

ISV Architects

The post Atrium apartment was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

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The post Black & White Apartment was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

The detached house is located opposite Pikioni Park one of Filothei’s most privileged residential areas. The basis of the decisions on synthesis was drawn from the location and orientation of the plot. The ground floor is notably higher than the street level which in turn creates continuity between the garden and the park, while the street view remains unobstructed. The park thus seems to be a natural extension to the garden. The building is L shaped and well orientated. It also looks out onto the garden and the view beyond. The garden is a vibrant and functional element of the residence. Attached to the garden is the ground floor that serves as the communal area, while the bedrooms are located on the first floor. The structure’s geometry is emphasised by the bright white of the two first floor blocks that superimpose a grey base of burnt granite. Vertical glass surfaces on the ground floor emphasise the geometry as well. Along with the fully retractable exterior casings they create the feeling that the first floor almost floats above the garden. At the same time they contribute to the complete integration of the inner with the outer spaces. The pergolas and clausters are made of aluminium laths and are painted white, forming an inconspicuous element of harmony with the building’s geometry. The extensive use of glass surfaces for large apertures, as well as for various surfaces, such as the parapets, creates transparencies that expose the building in its entirety but also assemble a building bathed in natural light. The use of wood (oak) also plays a determining role, while the artificial lighting designs were carefully planned so that although they are ornate, they remain discreet, draw attention to the spaces and create a tranquil and relaxing residential environment.

The post Residence in Filothei, Greece was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.