Near Glyfa beach, the residence unfolds like a small settlement of white and stone volumes, connected by sheltered courtyards, internal pathways and outdoor spaces facing the sea.

 

The project is located in the tranquil southeastern part of Paros, near Glyfa beach. Designed by Maria Doxa Architecture Studio, the seaside residence overlooks the coast and the open horizon.

The complex develops linearly across the site, resembling a small island settlement rather than a single autonomous building. A white cubic residence is accompanied by four smaller stone volumes containing supplementary uses. Courtyards, paths and sheltered outdoor rooms connect the separate parts while preserving their individual scale.

 

A protected route through the complex

Access is from the north, through a stone-walled courtyard planted with olive trees, cypresses and aromatic species. A marble-paved path crosses the garden and leads towards the principal entrance.

The high stone boundary protects the arrival area from strong winds. Instead of immediately revealing the sea-facing side of the house, the entrance sequence gradually moves from the enclosed northern courtyard towards the open southern landscape.

The path continues beyond the entrance and extends along the length of the residence. It connects the principal house with the guest accommodation, the artist’s studio and the smaller gardens distributed throughout the site.

 

Two wings around an entrance axis

Inside, the principal residence is divided into two wings. To the right of the entrance, an open-plan living area contains the kitchen, dining room and sitting space.

Large sliding glazed panels connect this shared interior directly with the central outdoor area. When opened, they establish continuity between the living room, shaded terrace, swimming pool and distant sea horizon.

The private wing develops to the left of the entrance. It contains one principal bedroom and two en-suite bedrooms, organized around an enclosed planted courtyard. This internal garden becomes a common point of reference for the sleeping areas and introduces daylight and vegetation without compromising privacy.

The contrast between the two wings is deliberate. The shared spaces open broadly towards the sea, while the bedrooms are organized around a more introspective landscape.

 

Guest accommodation and an artist’s studio

At the western end of the complex, a stone guest house contains two double-height rooms with direct access to the main terrace.

Each room includes a kitchen, bathroom and small sitting area at ground level. The sleeping area is placed on a mezzanine, creating a more private zone within the vertically organized interior.

A small painting studio completes the composition at the eastern end. It is reached through the outdoor path that begins at the entrance courtyard and follows the length of the house.

In the northwestern part of the site, a partially subterranean volume contains two further bedrooms with bathrooms and a shared kitchen. A planted roof and stepped courtyards integrate it into the terrain and limit its visual presence within the wider complex.

Outdoor life between stone and water

A large sheltered outdoor space occupies the area between the principal residence and the guest house. Facing the linear swimming pool and the sea, it forms the main setting for outdoor life.

A pergola and solid stone back wall protect the terrace, which contains an external bar and sitting area. An imposing fixed marble dining table stands close to the indoor kitchen, supporting a direct relationship between food preparation and outdoor dining.

The swimming pool reinforces the longitudinal organization of the residence. Its water surface extends visually towards the horizon and brings together the main house, guest accommodation and central terrace.

The outdoor spaces are not concentrated in a single area. Smaller courtyards, gardens and routes create different degrees of enclosure, shade and contact with the landscape.

 

 

A contrast of white plaster and local stone

The material palette draws on the character of island architecture without directly reproducing traditional forms. White plaster defines the principal residence, while local untreated stone gives the smaller volumes a heavier and more textured presence.

Large, pale marble slabs form a continuous floor across interior and exterior areas. This repeated surface connects the enclosed rooms with the terraces and weakens the boundary between them.

Rough timber beams and reed linings emphasize selected ceilings. Grey pergolas and window frames introduce a restrained contemporary layer, while natural timber and light fabrics with subtle textures define the furnishings.

The contrast among plaster, stone, marble, timber and reed gives each part of the residence a distinct identity. At the same time, the limited palette maintains the coherence of the whole.

Gardens across the site

The landscape design by Outside Landscape Architecture is distributed across small gardens and courtyards rather than concentrated around the main façade.

Mediterranean aromatic plants, grasses, shrubs, fruit trees and wildflowers establish a close relationship with the existing island landscape. Most ground surfaces remain permeable, combining exposed soil, gravel and paths formed from irregular stone slabs.

The result is a seaside residence with several different spatial scales and multiple possibilities for outdoor occupation. Controlled transparency reveals the sea and vegetation gradually through a sequence of measured architectural forms.

 

The project was first published in print in ParosVillas Vol.4, a special edition by ek Architectural Publications.

A high perimeter wall embraces a carved rectangular volume, creating a protected courtyard where light, vegetation and controlled views establish a condition of permeable introversion.

Domus Maya is located in the southeastern suburbs of Nicosia, on a typical plot within a recently developed neighbourhood. The two sides of the site present contrasting conditions. To the south, scattered residential buildings form an irregular urban frontage. To the north, open agricultural land extends towards the horizon and the trapezoidal profile of Aronas hill.

The proposal by Studio Kyriakos Miltiadou responds to this contrast through two principal compositional elements: a clearly defined rectangular prism and a tall wall that surrounds and embraces it.

 

A solid volume shaped by subtraction

The main volume has a footprint of 12 by 10 metres. Rather than remaining an intact rectangular block, it is carved along its horizontal and vertical axes.

The subtraction of parts from the original mass creates an internal void, which rises through two storeys in selected areas. The rooms and circulation spaces are organized around this opening.

The residence develops over two levels. The ground floor contains the principal shared spaces: the living room, kitchen, dining area and a small guest room. The bedrooms, bathrooms and supporting functions occupy the upper floor.

The central void acts as a three-dimensional canvas within the house. It brings light, air and vegetation into the interior while framing the horizontal line of the distant landscape. At the same time, it mediates between the family’s private life and its more social spaces.

 

A wall against the suburban landscape

The second defining element is a 3.5m-high wall positioned three metres behind the public road. Extending across the full width of the plot, it forms a firm boundary between the residence and the fragmented suburban surroundings.

Its continuous surface gives the street elevation an intentionally restrained character. Three narrow vertical openings interrupt the wall and permit carefully controlled views towards and from the interior.

The house therefore does not become completely isolated from the neighbourhood. Instead, the openings produce a selective permeability, allowing light, movement and partial visual contact to pass through an otherwise protective boundary.

A vivid yellow entrance door marks the point of access. Its colour contrasts with the white rendered surfaces and transforms the act of entering into a clearly legible moment within the composition.

 

An internal square around an olive tree

Behind the perimeter wall lies a central “square”: a protected courtyard that receives visitors before they enter the main house.

A transplanted olive tree stands at its centre. Surrounded by a circular exposed-concrete element, it becomes the principal point of orientation within the courtyard and introduces a mature natural presence into the precise geometric composition.

The courtyard opens towards the social life of the residence. It is not conceived as an isolated garden but as a shared outdoor room connected with the entrance, living spaces and semi-outdoor areas.

The white surfaces reflect the intense Mediterranean light, while the shadows of the planting animate the otherwise monolithic walls throughout the day.

 

Continuity between inside and outside

Exposed-concrete seating surfaces extend through the internal and external spaces. By crossing the boundaries of the envelope, they weaken the distinction between room, courtyard and garden.

These continuous elements also create informal places for sitting and social encounter. Their position allows everyday activities to spread beyond the conventional arrangement of enclosed rooms.

Where the perimeter wall meets the rectangular prism, smaller semi-outdoor spaces emerge. A network of stainless-steel cables supports climbing plants and introduces a lighter, permeable layer alongside the solid architectural surfaces.

Thyme, jasmine, lavender and bougainvillea occupy the enclosed gardens. Over time, the vegetation is intended to extend across the walls and wire structures, gradually softening the monolithic character of the residence.

 

Permeable introversion

The wall and the prism ultimately operate as a single architectural gesture. The first establishes protection and distance from the irregular urban setting. The second is opened and carved to accommodate light, landscape and vegetation.

Their interaction produces a series of deliberate contradictions: enclosure and openness, public and private life, the natural and the artificial, exposure and protection.

Domus Maya does not resolve these oppositions by choosing one condition over the other. Instead, it uses the courtyard, narrow openings and semi-outdoor thresholds to maintain a balance between them.

 

The project was first published in print in ek magazine 288 | July–August 2024, a monthly issue by ek Architectural Publications.

Rhoēs is an unbuilt private residence by Sinas Architects on the island of Serifos. The 390m² project occupies a 4,500m² site within an exposed Cycladic landscape, where strong winds, intense sunlight, steep terrain and distant views become active elements of the design.

Rather than reproducing the recognizable forms of traditional island architecture, the project investigates the environmental forces that originally shaped them. Its aim is to develop a contemporary house rooted in the conditions of Serifos without relying on the direct imitation of vernacular forms.

 

 

Architecture shaped by climate

The residence is conceived as a sequence of spaces that gradually negotiate exposure and protection. Walls define sheltered zones, while courtyards and semi-open areas create places where outdoor life can continue despite the island’s demanding climatic conditions.

The landscape is therefore not treated as a background for an autonomous architectural object. Instead, wind, solar exposure, terrain and views influence the position and character of each space.

Protected outdoor rooms form intermediate thresholds between the enclosed interior and the open site. These transitional areas allow the architecture to remain connected with its surroundings while providing shade and shelter from the wind.

A gradual spatial sequence

Movement through the project is organized as a transition between different degrees of enclosure. More protected spaces are followed by courtyards, framed openings and wider views towards the landscape.

This sequence avoids the immediate exposure of the entire residence. Instead, the house is gradually revealed through changes in scale, light and orientation. The courtyards become points of reference within this progression, extending domestic life beyond the enclosed rooms.

The resulting organization reflects the contrast found across the Cycladic landscape itself. Open and exposed areas coexist with recesses, walls and protected pockets shaped by the terrain.

 

 

Beyond the image of Cycladic architecture

Contemporary residential programmes often require larger interior spaces and amenities that differ significantly from those of older island houses. Rhoēs addresses these requirements without treating the site as a neutral setting onto which a predetermined lifestyle can simply be transferred.

The project seeks continuity with local architecture through its underlying logic rather than its external image. Climate determines the relationship between solid and open surfaces. The topography informs the sequence of movement, while sheltered courtyards mediate between contemporary domestic needs and the conditions of the island.

In this way, the reference to Cycladic architecture remains structural rather than stylistic. The house does not attempt to reproduce an idealized past. Instead, it applies a similar process of adaptation to the realities of present-day living.

Material continuity with the site

The proposed palette combines natural stone, exposed concrete, oak, glass and aluminium. Stone gives the composition a direct material relationship with the terrain, while concrete forms more continuous structural surfaces.

Oak introduces warmth within the interior and sheltered outdoor areas. Glass maintains visual connections with the landscape, while aluminium provides a restrained framework for the openings.

The combination is intended to reinforce the distinction between protection and exposure. Heavier materials define the boundaries of the residence, while transparent surfaces open selected spaces towards the surrounding landscape.

Rhoēs is currently under development, with completion estimated for 2028. The project proposes a contemporary interpretation of island dwelling in which architectural form emerges from climate, terrain and everyday use rather than from the reproduction of a predetermined regional style.

A Cut in the Landscape

The architectural proposal for a winery in Aidipsos, Evia, begins with the question of how a building of substantial scale can become part of the landscape. Given the area required for the production facilities, the winery is embedded into the hillside, absorbed by the terrain and incorporated into the vineyard, acquiring an intentionally chthonic character.

The underground solution serves more than a compositional purpose. The stable temperatures and controlled humidity of the subsoil create conditions suited to the maturation and aging of wine, allowing the building’s relationship with the earth to become part of the production process itself.

 

 

One line and one circle

At ground level, the architectural intervention is reduced to two traces: a line and a circle.

The linear production building is concealed behind the sloping wall of its only visible elevation. The circle, by contrast, forms a central open-air plaza overlooking the vineyard. Conceived as a crater, it interrupts the repetitive parallel lines of cultivation and becomes the principal point of reference within the composition.

While the building follows the rhythmic furrows of the cultivated terrain, the circle acts as a precise geometric incision. Its archetypal form introduces a deliberate interruption into the continuity of the vineyard, establishing a dialogue between architecture and landscape.

Descending into the winemaking process

The visitor’s journey begins among the rows of vines. Guided by the geometric alignment of the plants, a subtle cut in the landscape gradually reveals the presence of the building as an underground refuge.

The elongated entrance becomes an interior route that follows the course of wine production. Beyond the reception area, a large circular staircase descends to the winery’s main level, where the visitor moves between the barrels of the shadowy aging hall, the production areas, the transparent fermentation room with its tall stainless-steel tanks, and the bottling and storage spaces.

The coolness of the earth, the humidity, the silence and the scent of must intensify the experience of the descent. Architecture and production are encountered simultaneously, allowing the route through the building to become a progressive introduction to the making of wine.

 

 

From darkness back to light

The journey continues into an almost mystical tasting room. A vaulted ceiling slab, inclined walls and indirect natural light create a cave-like retreat, isolated from the surrounding sounds. Gravel underfoot becomes the only interruption, echoing with every step.

The sequence reaches its climax at the opening of the circular crater. Here, the visitor encounters daylight again and the view returns to the vineyard—the origin of the wine and the landscape from which the building itself emerges.

The circular plaza becomes a place of pause and contemplation, completing a journey of descent into the earth and re-emergence into the light. In this way, the architectural experience mirrors the transformative process of winemaking itself.

 

Originally published in ek magazine 299 | July–August 2025.

Hidden Spa–Water Hope is a 3,000m² spa and mud-bath complex in Bãi Dài, Cam Ranh, Vietnam. Designed by IDEE Architects, the building is set low within the coastal sand dunes instead of appearing as a distinct object above them.

The architecture follows the existing terrain and gathers the program around a central water courtyard. This inward-looking arrangement responds to an exposed coastal setting shaped by intense sunlight, strong winds and initially limited vegetation. Water, planting and deep shade create a protected environment for bathing, treatment and rest.

 

 

Architecture beneath the dunes

The spa develops as a continuous curved structure around the courtyard. Its roof follows the profile of the dunes and becomes a walkable planted landscape. From higher points, the architecture recedes beneath vegetation and preserves the continuity of the surrounding topography.

Adapting the building to the natural levels also reduced the need for extensive excavation. The result is a low intervention that retains the relationship between the dune, the preserved landscape and the new program.

A mature tree that stood on the site before construction was retained. The design developed around its position, turning it into a point of orientation within the composition.

Water as an environmental core

Visitors enter through shaded passages defined by stone walls and repeated rows of timber columns. Rather than revealing the complex immediately, the circulation gradually opens towards the central courtyard.

Reflecting pools, planted islands and shaded walkways occupy its interior. The bathing areas, mud-treatment rooms and supporting wellness spaces are organized around this sheltered oasis. Consequently, the rooms maintain a close visual and environmental connection with water and vegetation.

The courtyard is more than a visual center. Its water surfaces and planting contribute to a cooler and more humid microclimate, softening the dry and exposed conditions of the dunes. Changes in shade, temperature and reflected light also shape the visitors’ movement through the complex.

 

 

Local materials and passive cooling

The restrained material palette consists primarily of locally sourced stone, timber and bamboo. Thick stone walls provide thermal mass and protect the internal spaces from direct solar exposure. Meanwhile, open corridors support cross-ventilation throughout the circulation areas.

Bamboo ceilings filter light and introduce a lighter texture above the heavier stone surfaces. Exposed concrete appears alongside the natural materials, reinforcing the contrast between solid walls and open, shaded passages.

The planted roof further limits heat gain. Rainwater collected from its sloping surfaces is reused for landscape irrigation, supporting the vegetation introduced around the courtyard and across the roof.

A landscape transformed over time

The presence of water and shade has encouraged planting to develop around the building. As a result, the formerly sparse dune landscape is gradually becoming a small oasis. The project does not treat the landscape as a decorative layer. Instead, it allows the relationship between architecture, vegetation and climate to continue evolving.

Minthis Spa by Woods Bagot stands at the centre of a large wellness resort near Paphos, Cyprus. Positioned on the crest of a hill, the building overlooks the Ezousa Valley and the historic Stavros tis Minthis monastery.

The architecture responds differently to the two sides of the site. Towards the resort’s main square and stepped outdoor amphitheatre, the building presents a controlled and largely enclosed façade. In contrast, its opposite side opens towards the valley and the distant horizon.

 

 

Emerging from the hillside

The wellness centre appears to rise from the sloping terrain. Its fragmented planted roofs form a geometric extension of the landscape, while the low horizontal composition limits the building’s visual impact when seen from above.

The two-storey spa contains 2,100m² of public wellness facilities. Its programme includes eight specialized treatment rooms, four of which have private internal courtyards. A 25m heated indoor pool, a smaller thermal spa pool, a gym, a yoga room, a relaxation lounge and body-treatment areas complete the main facilities.

A further 700m² service level is located at the base of the building. Reserved for staff, it accommodates the spa’s supporting functions without interrupting the sequence of spaces used by visitors.

From the square to the courtyard

Visitors approach the spa from the resort’s central square along an outdoor route. On this side, a grid of standardized exposed-concrete volumes creates a protective façade. Gaps between them allow climbing plants to grow across the surface.

The concrete grid is interrupted at the entrance, where glazing reveals the central courtyard beyond. Here, a vertical garden of aromatic local plants is arranged within black metal containers. Their repeated geometry echoes the pattern of the external façade.

This planted courtyard forms the spatial centre of the project. It leads towards the reception and lobby, while maintaining long views across the resort and the surrounding terrain. A white Volakas marble reception desk stands against exposed concrete, accompanied by a wall-mounted ceramic composition. Timber surfaces across the walls and ceilings soften the concrete structure, while grey stone defines the floor.

 

 

Graduated levels of quiet

The internal programme is divided between two wings according to the degree of quiet required by each function. The two pools and gym are placed to the left of the courtyard. On the opposite side, the treatment rooms follow a linear arrangement that supports greater privacy and acoustic separation.

Four treatment rooms incorporate private open-air courtyards. These enclosed spaces bring daylight, vegetation and fresh air into the treatment areas without exposing them to the wider circulation zones.

Towards the valley, the principal functional volumes are emphasized by substantial frames of untreated natural limewood. Transitional spaces occupy the intervals between them. Openings reaching up to 5m in height frame views of the green landscape and draw daylight deep into the building.

Materiality and framed views

The interior combines natural timber battens, board-marked concrete and grey stone in both polished and rough finishes. Natural and artificial lighting reveal the differences between these surfaces, while reinforcing the visual axes towards the exterior.

The indoor pool is positioned directly beside full-height glazing. Reflections from the water extend the view into the landscape, while the timber-lined ceiling introduces warmth to the space. Elsewhere, darker corridors and treatment areas create a gradual transition towards more enclosed and private rooms.

Furniture and decorative elements follow the same material approach. Soft organic forms, woven surfaces, timber and heavily textured fabrics balance the geometric structure of the architecture.

 

The project was first published in print in ek magazine 281 | October 2023, a monthly issue by ek Architectural Publications.

Located in Haras del Bosque, a residential development and nature reserve in southeastern Puebla, Mexico, AE House is shaped by the dense vegetation of its setting. The landscape guides the relationship between the residence and its surroundings, while creating a sense of shelter.

Facing the street, the house maintains a horizontal, sober and understated presence that protects the privacy of the interior. Once inside, the scale changes. A central corridor structures the project and directs movement toward a sequence of courtyards, voids, bridges and platforms.

 

 

Staggered Volumes on the Slope

The house is fragmented into staggered volumes that adapt to the topography and open toward the adjacent hill and the pine-oak forest. The arrangement establishes a direct relationship between architecture and views, gradually weakening the boundary between interior and exterior.

Changes in level become part of everyday movement through the house. The circulation repeatedly opens toward the forest and the terrain, allowing the landscape to remain present from different heights.

The continuity between walls and sloping roofs gives the composition a clear volumetric reading, reinterpreting the elemental silhouette of the house through a contemporary architectural language.

Natural Light Through the Section

Continuous skylights extend from wall to ceiling, bringing natural light deep into the interior and changing its atmosphere throughout the day. Even the most enclosed spaces maintain a connection with the outdoors through variations of light and shadow.

The house is therefore not organized around views alone. Light enters from above and between the volumes, allowing changing external conditions to remain perceptible within the more sheltered areas of the interior.

 

 

Weight and Lightness

The material organization is based on a contrast between weight and lightness. The ground floor forms a solid base of concrete, exposed masonry and cement finishes, while also functioning as a retaining structure against the slope.

Above it, the upper floor takes on a lighter character through a steel frame and an envelope of dark metal panels. The two levels are therefore differentiated both structurally and materially.

Circulation turns the slope into an active part of the house. Inhabiting AE House involves climbing, crossing and pausing at different heights, transforming movement into an opportunity to observe the landscape while remaining sheltered by the architecture.

Dissolving into the landscape

Located within a residential development on the outskirts of São Paulo, the project was conceived as a residence where architecture, landscape and everyday life operate as a unified spatial experience. It responds to a site bordered by a golf course and an artificial lagoon, establishing a careful dialogue between built form and the surrounding environment.

Rather than emphasizing monumentality, the design strategy seeks to fragment and soften the scale of the residence. The house develops primarily across a single horizontal plane, while secondary technical spaces and recreational functions are discreetly concealed within a lower level. This organizational approach allows the architecture to remain visually grounded within the landscape, reinforcing a sense of continuity with the terrain rather than imposing itself upon it.

 

Spatial Organization

The residence is structured around a central planted courtyard filled with native Atlantic Forest vegetation, transforming nature into an active spatial nucleus rather than a peripheral backdrop. This internal garden mediates circulation, light and visual continuity throughout the house, while simultaneously reinforcing the atmosphere of retreat and privacy that defines the domestic experience.

The program includes four bedrooms, expansive living areas and entertainment spaces organized around carefully framed views toward the surrounding landscape. The spatial composition privileges openness and fluidity, allowing interior and exterior environments to overlap continuously.

A generous covered gallery occupies the most privileged edge of the plot, overlooking both the lagoon and the golf course. In response to the Brazilian climate and its strong culture of outdoor living, this semi-exterior space becomes the social heart of the residence. Inclined concrete partitions regulate western sunlight, reducing heat gain during the afternoon while preserving visual openness and airflow.

 

 

Material Palette 

Material restraint and geometric clarity define the architectural language of the project. Concrete surfaces, controlled proportions and elongated horizontal lines establish a calm and cohesive architectural identity, while the interplay between solid partitions and open voids generates constantly shifting conditions of light and shadow.

The elevated swimming pool extends directly from the main living level, visually merging with the adjacent lagoon through reflective continuity. Its infinity edge creates a cascading effect toward the lower ground, transforming the pool into both an infrastructural and sculptural element within the composition.

The bedrooms, positioned toward the front garden, establish a quieter domestic zone where vegetation operates simultaneously as privacy filter and environmental mediator. Large openings reinforce the inhabitants’ connection with nature while maintaining controlled intimacy from the street frontage.

 

 

Construction

An essential dimension of the project was the collaborative relationship established between architect, clients and construction team. Specifically, the successful realization of the house depended largely on the owners’ commitment to preserving the integrity of the architectural vision throughout the construction process.

Despite geographical distance, the coordination between the architectural office and the construction company remained continuous and highly collaborative. This ongoing exchange enabled the project to maintain coherence from concept to execution, resulting in a residence where the built outcome closely reflects the precision and atmosphere of the original design intent.

 

Levitating mass

The house is located in a quiet rural area, with one floor above ground and another dug into the earth. Featuring imposing black pigmented concrete, the design is centered around three main masses, creating a balance between open spaces and solid structures. The transparent central volume serves as the heart of the building, while the surrounding landscape plays an integral role in shaping the living experience.

 

Design Philosophy

The lower floor contains a large, excavated courtyard, which acts as a central gathering space. The central mass, over 5m high, offers clear views of the entire site. On either side, two long, parallel masses extend across the lot, reinforcing its length and creating a balanced composition. These masses penetrate the central structure, giving the appearance of floating concrete beams that stretch outward, enhanced by differences in the roof heights.

A floating bridge made of reflective stainless steel connects the entrance of the house across the courtyard, offering a clear view of the interior spaces. The path leads through a shallow reflecting pool, revealing the private areas of the house that are not visible from the street. This bridge also creates a visual link between the two long masses that extend through the structure.

 

 

Functional Organization

The upper floor includes the main living spaces, with a large living room, kitchen, dining area, and family rooms. The master suite features a walk-in closet, bathroom with a shower inside a reflecting pool, and a bedroom with views of the garden. A staircase made of dark natural stone leads to the lower level, where the wellness and leisure spaces are located, enhancing the flow between the levels.

The lower floor accommodates an indoor pool, gym, spa, cinema room, and a hospitality area, including a bar and wine room. Additional spaces for supporting functions, such as a laundry room and staff quarters, are also located here.

On the opposite side of the house, a large, landscaped garden includes a soccer field, pool, outdoor kitchen, and living areas, designed to support various social and recreational activities.

 

 

Material Palette

The house features clean, modern lines with black concrete facades, fiber-c cladding, and large glass openings. Dark natural stone flooring is complemented by blackened brass details. The design emphasizes an illusion of levitation, where the contrast between solid concrete and floating masses is achieved through roof disconnection and transparent elements.

 

Domestic prototype

In the wake of the global realignment brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, Riverhouse emerged as a deeply personal exploration of domesticity. Situated within a protected river corridor in rural Rhode Island, the project reflects broader cultural shifts toward slower living, environmental consciousness and closer engagement with nature. Designed as both family residence and experimental retreat, the house reconsiders how architecture can support evolving modes of living, working and gathering.

Originally occupying the site was a deteriorating summer structure that had hosted a series of informal architecture camps since 2014. These gatherings brought together architects, collaborators and families in an environment centered around dialogue, collective reflection and shared living. Over time, the fragile building became increasingly unsustainable, prompting the architects to envision a new dwelling capable of preserving the spirit of the site while responding to contemporary environmental and spatial demands.

 

Domestic Prototype

The new residence occupies the footprint of the original structure while introducing a compact yet highly articulated architectural form. Elevated to comply with floodplain regulations, the house balances technical rigor with an atmosphere of informality and warmth. Conceived according to Passive House principles, the project incorporates triple-glazed openings, heavily insulated wall assemblies and rooftop photovoltaic systems with battery storage, allowing the building to operate entirely on electricity while minimizing year-round energy consumption.

Rather than emphasizing technological performance as an end in itself, the project integrates environmental systems seamlessly within the architectural language. The design maximizes natural ventilation and daylight through strategically positioned apertures, while outdoor rooms, terraces and roof gardens extend domestic life into the surrounding landscape. The architecture negotiates openness and enclosure through a sequence of carefully calibrated spatial conditions that reinforce the connection between interior and exterior environments.

The distinctive geometry of the house emerged through an iterative process of physical model-making. A folded blue metal roof descends asymmetrically across the facades, producing a diagonal ridgeline that creates dynamic sectional relationships throughout the interior. This manipulation of volume allows for double-height spaces, mezzanine rooms and carved outdoor courtyards that bring light deep into the plan while framing views toward the river and surrounding forest.

 

 

Material Palette

Material selection played a central role in shaping the identity of the project. Thermally modified ash wood cladding, unfinished plywood surfaces and handmade Lebanese tiles introduce tactile richness while maintaining a restrained material palette. Vibrant window frames punctuate the muted exterior composition, echoing the changing colors of the surrounding vegetation throughout the seasons.

Inside, the house is organized around a spacious communal living area designed for both everyday inhabitation and collective gathering. Storage systems are embedded within the architectural envelope to maintain spatial clarity, while each room is dimensioned with precision to maximize efficiency without sacrificing comfort. The spatial organization privileges adaptability and fluidity, allowing domestic routines, work and social activities to coexist seamlessly.

The project evolved through an extended process of collaboration involving architects, designers, artists and craftspeople. These interventions blur the boundaries between architecture, interiors and objects, reinforcing the house’s role as a continuously evolving environment shaped through collective authorship.

Construction itself became part of the project’s narrative. Built incrementally within a modest budget, the project relied heavily on the involvement of friends, collaborators and local builders. The process unfolded gradually, with many contributors living alongside the project as it took shape, reinforcing the architects’ broader understanding of architecture as a social and participatory act.

 

 

Design Philosophy

Beyond its role as a private residence, the project operates as an ongoing platform for exchange, experimentation and dialogue. Continuing the legacy of the original architecture camps, the project supports gatherings that foster conversation around architecture, ecology and collective living. A second phase currently underway introduces a pavilion, swimming pool and gardens intended to accommodate future communal events and workshops.

In this sense, Riverhouse belongs to a lineage of architect-designed experimental houses that function simultaneously as homes and spatial manifestos. Yet unlike historical precedents centered on formal autonomy, this project responds directly to contemporary concerns surrounding climate adaptation, evolving family structures and the redefinition of domestic space in an increasingly uncertain world.

The result is a residence that resists the notion of retreat as isolation. Instead, the project proposes an architecture rooted in openness, resilience and environmental sensitivity – a carefully inhabited structure that remains unfinished in the most productive sense: continuously adapting, evolving and engaging with the people and landscape that surround it.

 

 

Continuous dialogue

Set within a site of remarkable natural beauty and surrounded by a golf course, the residence is conceived as an architectural composition that seeks to integrate seamlessly with its landscape. Through a careful articulation of volumetry and material expression, the project balances an extensive program with a sense of spatial clarity and harmony. The L-shaped plan is positioned at a slightly elevated level relative to the street, allowing unobstructed panoramic views across the otherwise flat terrain. This gesture establishes a gradual spatial transition while encouraging a continuous dialogue between interior and exterior environments.

 

Design Philosophy

The formal language of the residence is defined by the interplay of strong horizontal lines and a series of nuanced geometric transformations. Corners are beveled, curved, or inclined, generating a dynamic architectural composition that combines precision with expressive fluidity. The material palette reinforces this relationship with the surrounding landscape, employing light and earthy tones that enhance visual continuity. Wood elements, applied in panels and ceilings, are paired with a metal structure, while exposed light concrete introduces a subtle contrast against the warmer textures of the ground floor. A large, slatted panel on the upper level further accentuates the sense of lightness, contributing to the layered articulation of the façade.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The architectural composition unfolds through a clear organizational strategy that divides the residence into two primary volumes. A longitudinal wing accommodates the private program, including three suites, a physiotherapy space, and a home office, while a transversal volume concentrates the social and service areas, such as the kitchen, dining space, and auxiliary functions. Upon entry, gently inclined and curved walls guide movement toward the main living area, establishing a fluid spatial sequence that connects directly with the leisure zones. The integration of amenities, including sauna, spa, gym, and children’s area, is enhanced by retractable glass panels, allowing for flexibility and continuity. This entire leisure front is illuminated by zenithal natural light, ensuring both privacy and spatial clarity.

 

 

Lighting Design & Materials

Large, glazed surfaces establish a constant visual connection with the surrounding landscape, framing views and reinforcing the contemplative character of the residence. Architectural elements such as pergolas and inclined planes modulate light and shadow across the façades, introducing temporal variation throughout the day. On the upper floor, the master suite and additional bedrooms are arranged along the axes of the L-shaped plan, complemented by workspaces that benefit from the tranquility of the setting. A metal slat screen filters natural light while preserving privacy, and a continuous metallic eave outlines the volume with refined subtlety. Internally, the design language mirrors the exterior, combining warm tones, natural light, curated artworks, and selected furniture pieces into a cohesive and elegant spatial experience.

 

Renewed perspective

The project of Dexamenes matures gracefully over time, much like wine – a narrative defined by continuity, a gentle projection into the future, and a constant state of entropy. Quiet reinvention has become intrinsic to its character: the hotel evolves through modest gestures, extending itself layer by layer, season by season. Since its inception, it has consistently reactivated its existing components. The twin silos now pulse with wellness, art, and recurring culinary events, each iteration fostering an ongoing dialogue with the past.

 

Extension Strategy

In parallel, the building has sought its own modes of evolution, delicately emerging from its robust concrete base. A few years after its completion, as cultural and culinary programs continued to flourish, it became evident that the site could accommodate a new chapter in hospitality – an additional layer that would honor the original ethos while offering a renewed perspective. During the early stages of construction, when the interiors of the tanks remained inaccessible, time spent on their rooftops revealed a unique sensation of elevation. From this vantage point, the sky met the sea in a continuous, uninterrupted line. It was this immediate connection to the horizon that ultimately informed the addition of a new layer atop the concrete tanks.

 

 

Functional Organization

Eight new rooms now occupy this elevated structure. A lightweight framework of slender metal tubes and warm wooden planks hovers above the solid tanks, tracing the building’s geometry without imposing upon it. These refined elements dematerialize the presence of the new level, allowing a thin canopy to appear as though it floats effortlessly above the concrete volume. A linear water feature frames the horizon, visually merging the architecture with the sea. Sunlight reflecting off the wooden pergola animates the surfaces, reinforcing the nautical, raft-like character of the intervention. The new rooms extend the palette, aesthetic, and spatial logic of the existing accommodations. Each one opens toward the sea through a generous veranda, shaded beneath the pergola, while access from the rear courtyard integrates the upper level into the daily life of the hotel below.

 

 

Design Philosophy

From this elevated vantage point, guests engage with the silos, the cultivated vines of the garden, and the rhythm of activity below, now perceived from a distinctly different perspective. The addition does more than expand the hotel’s capacity; it encapsulates, activates, and extends the evolving narrative of Dexamenes. The rooftop of the rear tank remains intentionally open-ended, reserved as a space for experimentation and discovery. From here, the horizon stretches infinitely, uncharted and anticipatory, awaiting the next chapter in the life of the hotel.

 

Consolidating functions

The Exeter Road Pavilion is an adaptive reuse of a modest Victorian garden outbuilding in northwest London, reimagined as a hybrid domestic and social space for an art collector and amateur DJ. Conceived as both a storage environment and a setting for leisure, the project consolidates diverse functions – archiving, display, gathering, and recreation – within a unified architectural gesture that extends from interior to landscape.

 

Design Philosophy

At the core of the proposal lies a continuous cabinet, operating as a contemporary cabinet of curiosities. Beginning within the refurbished structure and extending outward into the garden, this linear element accommodates an array of uses: art storage and display, shelving for books and vinyl records, a DJ station, a television, and personal artifacts. As it moves outdoors, it integrates recreational functions, including a ping-pong table, weights, and garden games, maintaining spatial continuity across interior and exterior domains.

Encased in a perforated stainless-steel screen, the cabinet oscillates between transparency and opacity. Its surface reflects and filters light, producing shifting visual conditions throughout the day. This duality allows the cabinet to simultaneously reveal and conceal its contents, reinforcing its role as both container and spatial mediator.

 

 

Structural Logic

The cabinet operates not only as storage but also as a structural system, supporting the canopy that extends over the outdoor space. The relationship between these elements introduces a deliberate tension, inspired by the precarious compositions of Fischli & Weiss. Rather than adhering to conventional structural logic, the design removes an expected column, redistributing forces through a counterbalancing system.

This equilibrium is achieved through a precisely milled marble mass embedded within a galvanized steel I-beam, paired with a tension rod anchored to a concealed concrete block below ground. The resulting configuration establishes a legible yet unconventional structural narrative, where balance is perceived as dynamic and contingent rather than fixed.

 

 

Materials & Sustainability

The canopy itself is composed of layered materials – marble, steel, and polycarbonate – articulated in a clear tectonic hierarchy. Stainless steel cladding on the cabinet mirrors the surrounding vegetation, while translucent roofing elements diffuse light into the space below. This material palette oscillates between raw and refined, grounding the project in both industrial precision and environmental responsiveness.

Through reflection, translucency, and spatial extension, the pavilion dissolves the boundary between interior and exterior. It becomes an instrument for observing seasonal and daily changes, where light, vegetation, and built form interact continuously. The project ultimately establishes a condition in which structure, storage, and landscape remain in constant and perceptible dialogue.

 

Cohesive framework

Conceived as a new architectural landmark for South Tyrol, the Museum Depot responds to the need for a centralized facility dedicated to the protection, conservation, and public accessibility of the region’s cultural assets. The project rethinks the fragmented system of existing depots, consolidating diverse collections into a unified structure that accommodates over one million objects, ranging from artworks and museum holdings to archaeological finds and audiovisual archives.

 

Programmatic Integration

The proposal addresses a dual objective: to operate as a highly efficient preservation facility while simultaneously engaging with the cultural and institutional demands of the region. Rather than functioning as a series of isolated storage units, the building establishes a cohesive framework that integrates research, conservation, and exhibition. Offices, laboratories, workshops, storage areas, and public galleries coexist within a single architectural system, fostering collaboration and exchange between institutions.

The spatial organization prioritizes relationships and workflows, structuring the program around a central courtyard that introduces natural light into the working environments while offering visual and physical access to a landscaped outdoor space. This arrangement enhances both functionality and user experience, positioning the depot as an active cultural infrastructure rather than a purely technical repository.

 

 

 

Spatial Strategy & Sustainability

A key aspect of the design lies in the careful distribution of functions across different levels. Storage and exhibition spaces are located underground, ensuring stable climatic conditions essential for the long-term preservation of sensitive artifacts. Above ground, administrative and research functions benefit from daylight and visual permeability, creating a balanced working environment.

Circulation is conceived as a continuous and legible system, connecting the various programmatic elements while reinforcing their interdependence. The interior is defined by clear spatial sequences and controlled transitions, allowing both staff and visitors to navigate seamlessly through the building.

 

Design Philosophy

The architectural form draws from the vernacular typologies of South Tyrol’s alpine and valley regions, translating traditional elements into a contemporary language. A raised, pitched roof defines the building’s silhouette, while the street-facing entrance opens into a transparent and welcoming foyer.

Partially embedded into the ground, the structure reduces its visual impact and establishes a sensitive relationship with the surrounding landscape. The green roof extends the natural terrain, reinforcing continuity between the built form and its environment. This integration is further emphasized by the material palette and the modulation of volumes, which echo local architectural references while maintaining a distinct contemporary identity.

The main entrance connects directly to the urban fabric and adjacent plaza, while additional access points through underground parking ensure functional efficiency. At the heart of the interior, a sculptural spiral staircase acts as both a spatial and symbolic element, linking the exhibition spaces below with the public and administrative areas above.

Upon completion, the Museum Depot will not only provide optimal conservation conditions for previously dispersed collections but will also reposition them as accessible and active components of the region’s cultural landscape, reinforcing their value within both local and broader contexts.

 

Core of everyday life

In the heart of the settlement of Pollonia in Milos, a polygonal plot is transformed into a complex spatial organism, where the notion of the courtyard is reinterpreted as the core of everyday life. The proposal reconstructs the atmosphere of the Cycladic village through a contemporary architectural language, creating an environment that balances between privacy and collectivity.

 

Design Philosophy

The plan unfolds along the perimeter of the plot, with independent rooms arranged as volumes tracing its boundary. Within, a network of courtyards and pathways is formed, composing a sequence of open and semi-open spaces. The visitor is invited to navigate this system, discovering hidden corners and inner gardens, and choosing between moments of seclusion or social interaction.

The architectural experience is structured as a succession of spatial transitions, where movement becomes a key tool for understanding the project. The routes are non-linear, gradually revealing the whole and reinforcing the sense of a village at a micro scale.

 

 

Materiality & Architectural Language

The volumes develop across two levels, forming a clear dual material expression. A grounded base of exposed stone anchors the composition, while the white upper level appears to hover lightly above it, separated by a subtle shadow gap. This contrast enhances the plasticity of the composition and articulates the relationship between heaviness and lightness.

The architectural language of projections, corners, and openings generates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, constantly shifting throughout the day. Light operates as an active design element, revealing material textures and intensifying spatial perception.

Finally, a third layer of materiality is introduced through metal elements. Pergolas and vertical corten features define the boundaries of the gardens, filter light, and create intermediate zones of privacy.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The six suites, featuring double-height interiors, are conceived as minimal and luminous spaces of accommodation. The architecture avoids unnecessary decoration, allowing the contrasts between materials and light to shape the atmosphere.

The courtyard, as a fundamental element of Cycladic typology, re-emerges as a place of gathering and social interaction. Sheltered from the wind, it functions as an inner garden where guests form a temporary community. Through this gesture, the architecture establishes the conditions for shared experiences, conversation, and exchange.

The project constitutes a contemporary interpretation of the traditional settlement, where respect for place is combined with the creation of new modes of inhabitation. It is an environment that balances individuality and collectivity, offering a refuge of simplicity and authenticity within the landscape of Milos.

 

Relief continuation

The hotel is located at the edge of the traditional settlement of Oia, at the top of the volcanic cliffs of the Caldera. The site has a steep slope, a south-western orientation and unobstructed views toward the sea and the volcano.

 

Restoration Strategy

Within the plot there were ruined cave structures previously used as storage spaces, stables and cellars, as well as an old cubic house located at the northeastern corner. The objective of the project was the reconstruction of the pre-existing buildings and the addition of new cave rooms and communal areas, forming a hotel complex.

As a result, the hotel includes a small reception area, sixteen rooms, a restaurant, a shared swimming pool and a gym-spa. These functions are arranged gradually across the six levels of the complex. The entrance, accessed from the main pedestrian path of the settlement, is located at the upper level together with the reception and an outdoor seating area.

 

 

Spatial Organization

A central outdoor staircase leads from the upper level to the restaurant and the pool, connecting the three intermediate levels that accommodate the guest rooms with their private courtyards and pools. The lowest level includes the spa reception, a small gym, massage rooms, hammam, sauna, sanitary facilities and storage areas, as well as a sheltered relaxation courtyard at the edge of the cliff.

The proposal aimed both at the faithful restoration of the pre-existing buildings and the construction of new cave structures in the spirit of a contemporary and subtle reinterpretation of the cubic morphology of the old settlement, while maintaining a continuous relationship with the natural topography of the Caldera. The form of the new cave spaces preserves the structure of the traditional ones, along with their geometric shapes, materiality and white color.

The typologies of the floor plans, as well as the openings, are oriented so as to frame the view toward the sea. As a result, the façades follow the natural contour lines as broken geometries, resembling folded retaining walls that integrate gently into the landscape. The layering of these compositional strategies ultimately defines the final form of the building and its strong spatial dynamism. The descending movement of the central outdoor staircase, from the hotel entrance to the lowest level, resembles a “crack” in the “body” of the building, guiding movement and directing visitors toward the various private and communal areas.

Materials & Lighting

The interior design follows a strict minimalist approach based on the principles of Cycladic architecture. In the pre-existing cave spaces, a “total white” atmosphere prevails, with subtle touches of iridescent gold and green, while soft curves and freestanding furniture with organic forms highlight and enrich their natural plasticity.

The aesthetic of the new cave rooms is characterized by more intense colors, in the spirit of a “vie en bleu”, with abstract references to the cosmopolitan resorts of the Mediterranean south. These references become more geometric, linking the shapes and volumes of the interior with the forms of the exterior composition.

The lighting of the complex operates in a discreet manner, enhancing the sculptural quality of the white volumes and the experience of movement through the landscape. Along the outdoor pathways and staircases, low-intensity linear luminaires are integrated into the architecture, emphasizing the geometry of the walls and guiding visitors during nighttime circulation. The illuminated pools act as diffused luminous surfaces within the composition, creating soft reflections across the cave volumes. Inside the rooms, lighting remains subtle and integrated into the curved surfaces, highlighting the minimalist aesthetic and the sculptural qualities of Cycladic architecture.

 

Horizontal form

Located in Agios Tychonas, Cyprus, this private residence is conceived as a clear architectural composition of horizontal and vertical volumes that respond to the natural slope of the site. The building rests on an exposed concrete structural frame that establishes a solid base, while the white-rendered upper level introduces a sense of visual lightness. Continuous south-facing glazing and wooden louvers reinforce the relationship between interior space and landscape, creating transparency and warmth. The overall composition emphasizes horizontality, directing views toward the horizon and the infinity pool, which operates as a spatial extension of the interior living areas. The project’s architectural identity balances the raw texture of concrete with warm wooden surfaces and glass, establishing a contemporary dialogue with the surrounding natural environment.

 

Spatial Organization

The functional layout is structured around an open-plan ground floor where living, dining and kitchen spaces unfold seamlessly toward the outdoor terrace and swimming pool. This arrangement strengthens the connection between interior and exterior while extending everyday living into the garden.

The upper level accommodates the private areas of the house. Bedrooms and bathrooms are organized along a linear circulation corridor and are complemented by perimeter balconies that enhance privacy while encouraging cross-ventilation. The clarity of the plan establishes strong visual axes that guide the gaze toward the surrounding landscape, while allowing flexibility of use and a comfortable everyday spatial experience.

Bioclimatic Strategy

Environmental considerations are integrated into the project from the earliest stages of design. The building’s orientation and form respond directly to the climatic characteristics of the site, enabling passive regulation of temperature and daylight.

Carefully positioned overhangs and cantilevered elements, combined with adjustable wooden louvers, mitigate solar exposure during the summer months while allowing the lower winter sun to penetrate the interior spaces. Large openings facilitate natural cross-ventilation and passive cooling, while the exposed concrete structure operates as thermal mass, storing and gradually releasing heat to maintain stable indoor conditions.

 

 

Materials & Landscape Design

The architectural expression of the residence emerges from the dialogue between its material palette and the surrounding landscape. Concrete, wood, glass and white render are employed with restraint, establishing a balanced composition that reflects both modernist clarity and sensitivity to place.

Strategic planting around the perimeter contributes to the improvement of the microclimate, while the presence of the pool and landscaped surfaces enhances evaporative cooling. The overall form of the building adapts to the topography of the site, minimizing environmental impact while shaping a calm and open living environment.

Through this approach, the residence functions as a contemporary retreat where interior and exterior spaces merge seamlessly. Each volume, opening and material choice contributes to a spatial experience that prioritizes sustainability, clarity and a strong relationship with the natural landscape.

 

Inhabited shadow

Located next to the Sotogrande golf course, this house was designed to dwell inside the shadow, in-between the ground plane and the flat roof that hovers above. This generous cantilever not only provides shelter from the intense sun of Cadiz but also offers protection against the heavy rainfall arriving from the nearby Grazalema mountain range, the region with the highest precipitation in the Iberian Peninsula.

 

Design Philosophy

The design establishes four distinct architectural boundaries that define the spatial experience of the house. Below, the ground plane receives the imprint of the shadow. Above, the roof slab is designed with a water surface, functioning both as an aesthetic and a bioclimatic element. Peripherally, a continuous floor-to-ceiling glass façade allows for efficient climate control within the interior while maintaining unobstructed views and seamless movement towards the landscape. Finally, the inner core features a wooden volume that ensures the necessary privacy for the rooms while introducing warmth throughout the space.

 

 

Functional Layout

Access to the house is from the upper street, a strategic point that offers a privileged view of the landscape and the water surface on the roof -an unexpected feature that provides thermal and acoustic insulation. The water layer absorbs heat during the day and gradually releases it at night, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling.

The roof and ground planes are subtly displaced to create a covered entrance leading to the main access, parallel to an infinity pool that extends towards the golf course. Internally, the program is organized around a central circulation core, which also incorporates skylights that bring natural light into the central spaces and guide movement towards the rooftop water surface.

 

 

Materials & Furniture

One of the primary design requirements was the use of materials that compose a warm color palette. As a result, the entire ground surface -both indoors and outdoors is clad in large-format off-white ceramic slabs, harmonizing with the wooden finishes of the core and the free-standing walls that define different interior areas. The furniture is dominated by natural wood and textured white fabrics, while linear warm white lighting highlights the overall composition.

Throughout the day, sunlight washes across textured surfaces and natural materials, accentuating depth and shadow while reinforcing the continuity between interior and exterior spaces. During the evening, a carefully composed artificial lighting scheme takes over through discreet, indirect fixtures integrated into ceilings, walls and architectural details. Warm, low-intensity lighting highlights key spatial elements and circulation paths while maintaining a soft ambient glow that preserves the serene character of the residence, allowing the architecture and material palette to remain the focal point of the spatial experience.

The design aims to minimize the building’s footprint on the environment, creating a living experience within the shaded zone defined between the two primary planes. Through a simple architectural gesture, the house orchestrates an experience with a strong identity and a timeless character.

 

Geometric elements

Built amidst fields of wheat, the house is defined by the geometric treatment of three natural elements: Earth, water, and light. The composition becomes a sequence of different impressions throughout the day, and the poetics of space creates a detachment from the environment, as a layout raised above the landscape.

 

Design Philosophy

At once, a home, and imagery: the former attribute is experienced practically, and the latter becomes the source of ideas. One layout and one clear line, diagonally traced upon a simple volume, define the building. It is an elongated volume of bare concrete, placed in-between the ground and the sky. Its elegant character is described in simple lines, uniting and dividing.

The floor-to-ceiling opening maintains proportions which allow an unobstructed sky view. The building volume is subtracted from the soil, creating a seamless flow of open air space beneath – a gesture further accentuated with the water axis, perpendicular to the building.

 

 

Façade Morphology

The shell is introverted, with only a few incisions on its surface, and the dominant bare concrete is complemented with a screen of perforated, folded bronze shades. Contact with the outside remains at the disposition of the inhabitant. Each idea requires a practical application. The living experience is entirely introverted, with the materiality of concrete enforcing this impression. The bold gesture at the entrance -an oversized prism which absorbs a disproportionate part of the whole- acts as a bridge to the interior, with its geometry and size underlining the distance between public and private.

 

 

Materials & Sustainability

Incisions are few, and precise: one opening at the kitchen looks downwards; one light well at the end of the corridor accentuates a sculpture in space, and marks arrival. At the entrance prism, a vertical aperture is juxtaposed to the incision of the kitchen; as a result, each afternoon, a strip of light crosses through. Those elements are brought into a marked contrast with the other two faces of the volume, where the wall is expressed as absence.

The shading device is also a mechanism, a filter in an environmental approach. The ample height of the spaces alludes to vernacular architecture, where the large air volume stabilizes interior temperature. The thermal mass of the walls adds to this effect. The tectonic shell of the project wraps this interior in an austere line, without any superficial gestures.

 

Subterranean composition

The hotel, entirely carved into the earth, is located in Imerovigli, the settlement at the highest point of the caldera. It was developed within existing caves with the intention of offering a contemporary interpretation of the traditional cave-dwelling experience.

 

Design Philosophy

The main concept revolves around an organic, shell-like form that flows through the space and shapes the boundaries of the carved structure. This idea is emphasized through the use of a single material across all surfaces, softening transitions and adopting a color palette that echoes the natural stone of the existing caves. At the street entrance, a sharp-angled volume made of perforated masonry directs visitors toward the interior.

 

 

Functional Layout

The ground level is flat, with the volume of the building submerged within the landscape, enhancing its discreet presence. A circular courtyard surrounded by water becomes a focal point, referencing the island’s original name and shape, “Stroggili” (“Round”). Both the courtyard and a structural pillar mark the transition from the ground level to the subterranean areas. A descending staircase, with an intermediate seating landing, leads to a rotating axial door that opens into a 37-meter vaulted sloping corridor.

Ten rooms unfold along one of its long sides, while the opposite side hosts common and service areas, two staircases for vertical circulation, reception, spa, restrooms, an office, preparation spaces, and mechanical rooms. Natural light and air enter the corridor through five skylights in the ceiling, the only visual connection to the sky.

The artificial lighting does not follow a symmetrical axis relative to the vault; instead, it leans toward the room entrances. Repeated 360° light fixtures rhythmically segment the corridor. The room layout retains the traditional tripartite structure found in historic cave dwellings: upon entering, guests encounter the bathroom area, followed by the sleeping zone, and finally the living area.

 

 

Landscape Design & Sustainability

The vaulted form extends beyond the room boundary, creating a sheltered outdoor space with a private jacuzzi and seating for each suite. A monolithic cladding material and deep charcoal tones dominate the envelope, while linear artificial lighting cuts through the rooms, drawing attention toward the dramatic views of the caldera and Oia. The furnishings support a sense of calm and relaxation, with subtle notes of minimal luxury. The spa area follows the same design philosophy, where light reflected on the water surface and the water’s temperature evoke a primordial, womb-like atmosphere. Returning to the upper level, guests encounter individual daybeds, semi-private dining areas, shared lounge spaces, a bar, a pool, and restrooms.

Geothermal systems and advanced insulation methods make the complex bioclimatic, ensuring stable interior temperatures independent of outdoor conditions and achieving a positive environmental footprint.

 

Framing the City

The space is comprised of continuous visual transitions, standing at the threshold between nature and culture.

 

Design Philosophy

“In the beginning, there was… the view,” echoing the words of Hesiod. A singular, breathtaking panorama unfolds -the urban tapestry of Thessaloniki merging with the Thermaic Gulf. In contrast, a landscape of dwarf conifers, blooming native shrubs, and natural stones composes a vivid, crafted natural scene. In medias res -in between- emerges a residence of simplicity, designed to frame the visual experience of these two (non)limits.

 

 

Spatial Organization

A central box-shaped piece of furniture defines the residence (entrance, living room, kitchen, utility room) without strict limits, guiding circulation and creating targeted ‘windows’ to view the (non)limits. In parallel, an interplay of absence and solid material, combined with a ‘non finito’ metal grid, forms a ‘memory wall’ in the living room. Here, travel memories are displayed, creating a sensory connection with the past. Finally, a desk with dual use -as workspace and seat- offers views of sunsets over Mount Olympus, enhancing the experience.

 

 

Material Palette

Contrasts of absence and materiality, along with the metal grid, create atmosphere. Mirror surfaces add shifting perspectives, making reflections vanish as users leave, returning the view as the final image. The design frames the duality of natural and urban landscapes, embedding the panoramic view as the essence of inhabitation.

 

Topographic extension

The project draws its inspiration from the volcanic landscape itself, which defines both the morphology and the development of the built volumes.

 

Design Philosophy

The structures blend seamlessly into the natural terrain, acting as an extension of the topography and avoiding any visual imposition on the environment. The composition unfolds across three levels, following the natural slope of the site along a West–East axis, allowing each residence to enjoy complete privacy and unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea.

 

 

Context Integration

To the northeast, a pathway begins at the top of the plot and descends through the complex with stepped routes and cobbled stairs. This axis acts as the backbone of the project, organizing the outdoor areas and the successive terraces with pools, pergolas, and lounge spaces. In parallel, large windows frame fragmentary views of the horizon, while outdoor spaces flow seamlessly into the landscape, creating the sensation that living becomes one with nature.

 

 

Functional Organization & Materials

The material palette is strictly earthy: exposed stone masonry, wood, and raw plaster blur the boundaries between the natural and the man-made. Each residence includes two bedrooms, a bathroom, open-plan living areas, and a private pool. The interiors follow the understated Cycladic aesthetic, with soft neutral tones and natural materials enhancing the sense of calm and brightness. Finally, vertical openings (cour anglaise) ensure ample natural light and cross-ventilation throughout the spaces.

 

Curved Terrain

The design creates a house that blends in its natural environment, comprised of steep gravel slopes, dressed in scattered wild thorny bushes, and beautiful large rock formations.

 

Context Integration

The most prominent landscape features, however, were the short, dry-stone retaining walls, locally called ‘xerolithies’, created long time ago, for land cultivation purposes. These walls, usually no more than a meter high, formed flat stripes of land parallel to the slope and extended along the entire surface of the hillside. The site with its ‘xerolithies’ was the spark of inspiration.

 

 

Morphological Approach

When one thinks of the Greek Islands and their vernacular architecture, scattered and stacked white boxes come to mind. The first step was to challenge this morphological preconception by imagining the main facades (front and back) of the house being formed as ‘xerolithies’. They start low and gradually develop at a sufficient height for a house. They move gently closer and away of the slope, independently from one another, forming spaces in between them. To achieve this, all the functions of the house were placed sequentially, making it long and narrow.

The walls have a lightness seeming as if like they were affected by the strong Cycladic winds, like ribbons in the air. To complete the ‘xerolithia’ likeness, the roof of the house was covered with soil and vegetation, emulating the natural landscape. This made the house almost invisible, especially when seen from behind and afar. Another important feature of the Cycladic rural house is the wooden pergola consisting of thick, raw, smooth, wooden beams and columns with a bamboo cover, all in their natural color. This structure appears also in the interior of the house, on the ceiling, following the traditional way of constructing roofs.

 

Material Palette

This particular element was used along the entire length of the structure, inside and outside. The beams supporting this structure, naturally, could not be placed parallel to each other; instead, they follow the house’s curvy morphology, like vertebrae on a long spinal cord. As a result, the bamboo was knitted in a fish bone manner, creating a unique pattern with beautiful shade textures. The doors and windows are wooden and simple, with a light olive color, and the main exterior walls are made of stone with no joint mortar. Both these decisions follow the traditional style and technique.

 

Sustainable design

The holiday residence is situated on the eastern side of Antiparos, just a few meters from the sea, offering uninterrupted views of southwestern Paros and the islet of Marmara.

 

Design Philosophy

Positioned at the center of the plot and aligned with the coastline, the house is framed by thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces. At the rear, a covered parking area and a sheltered entrance provide practical access, while the front features open-air and shaded living areas along with a swimming pool that overlooks the sea. This outdoor area sits above a garden planted with low-lying, native vegetation. The building is organized into two primary volumes: one containing the main living areas oriented toward the sea, and the other housing the bedrooms.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The ground floor includes three bedrooms, while the master suite occupies a private position on the upper floor. A core design principle -essential in any Cycladic residence- is that each interior space should extend seamlessly into the outdoors. This is achieved through large openings that visually and functionally integrate the interior with the exterior. The sense of continuity is further enhanced by the consistent use of materials both inside and out. Although the overall aesthetic is distinctly contemporary, the design pays homage to traditional Cycladic architecture through its geometry, construction methods, and the use of locally inspired materials.

 

 

Material Palette

The architectural expression is defined by white volumes, coarse plaster finishes, local stone, cement screed, and wooden pergolas. These are paired with high-quality materials and advanced technologies to ensure a standard of living that matches, or even surpasses, urban comforts. Sustainability is a guiding principle of the design. The residence has achieved top-tier certifications such as BREEAM, establishing it as the first truly “green” home in the Cyclades.

 

Walled compound

The holiday retreat for an extended, multigenerational family, is located in the remote and rugged lands of the Mani Peninsula. The plot of land is set high on a mountainside offering spectacular views, peering down on the village and the sea below.

 

Design Philosophy

The task was to create a space for the family to come together whilst also making room for each member to have individual space within the complex. Due to the remote and rather wild location of the house, security was an important issue. A meditation room was also a request -a space where they could practice their Buddhist beliefs. In this framework, the building was envisioned like the many monasteries that can be found throughout Greece.

 

 

Spatial Organization

A walled compound that would have separate structures inside, offering the clients both the individual space and security they were searching for. The inner compound was designed to provide an openness that one probably wouldn’t expect if looking from the outside walls, with each separate area being accessed only via external walkways. The core of the compound is a terraced courtyard flanked by individual buildings and an elongated swimming pool at the lowest level, opening unexpected vistas to the sea and mountain landscape, while maintaining its feel of an intimate enclosure.

 

 

Material Palette

Provided that the owners had a particular love for local traditional stone buildings with tiled roofs, but were also drawn to a more modern flat-roofed building with its minimalist aesthetic, the home became a combination of both, using the modern style with ample pressed cement surfaces and metal frames for the individual areas, such as the bedrooms and the kitchen, and the traditional stone and tile with wooden shutters in the communal building, which contains the living area and the meditation area below it.

The outcome appears rooted in the mountain landscape, and modern at once. By using the guiding idea of a monastery, the design offers the perfect balance between the openness of the walkways and the sanctuary of the surrounding walls. By fusing modern and traditional building styles, the project becomes something a little unique for the area: a place the owners can be proud to call their home.

 

Modernising tradition

The project is inspired by a special feature of Mani’s residential forms – the “Ksemonia”, meaning “the ones left alone”; those were stand-alone towers or small residential complexes in the rugged landscape of Mani, operating as shelters or observation points. From afar, these stone-built towers appear as just one more element in the land, like monolithic outbursts from the soil.

 

Design Philosophy

The residential compound, consisting of two stone houses, is organized around two towers placed in the plot in a dynamic arrangement which correlates the outdoor spaces and the house entrances, further defining additional outdoor areas. The modern tower-houses are designed to be in close connection with the natural landscape, just as is the case with traditional Mani architecture, which became an integral part of the place it sprung out of. Although the main composition is expressed in the form of the towers, their extensions, which make up the rest of the complex, do not exist independently within the plot, but are rather brought together into a whole, echoing the established architectural forms of the region; in so doing, they also provide a modern interpretation of those same traditional typologies.

 

 

Functional Organization

The houses are designed so that one can live at once “inside” and “outside”, with dynamic indoor and outdoor spaces. It thereby becomes possible to transfer one’s life outside the home: in this case, in a courtyard divided into a set of spaces endowed with different qualities and visual frames. Pergolas, secluded corners for quiet and meditation, living spaces, infinity pools blurring the boundaries of the horizon and the sky, all combine to create the external backdrop for the houses themselves. Throughout, completely natural building materials which bear the signs of time have been chosen, showing the marks of their origin and their processing. The materials serve as a blank canvas upon which the interplay of light and shadow gently unfolds during the day.

 

 

Material Palette

Stone characterizes the place: Mani, as it is expressed both in the ground itself and in its traditional constructions; Mani, as it evokes an architectural vocabulary of monolithic austerity, of strict lines, and geometric volumes. Concrete complements the natural materials, creating smaller, artificial stonework in earth tones with coarse textures. Wood creates soft, warm, and clean surfaces, and lattice shutters to complete the volumes. These materials are alternating inside and out, intensifying the visual experience of the houses, constituting a natural but strictly conceived statement within the Messenian landscape.

 

 

Furniture & Color Palette

The interior design is consistent with the architecture of both buildings, inspired by the simple tradition, the imposing landscape of Mani, and the materials found on this land. The purpose was to create spaces that give a warm character inside the stone volumes, always reminding that one is “there”, in this place; to feel part of a different, Doric life. Most of the furniture was designed exclusively for the project, emphasizing the sense of uniqueness and a timeless line that aims to bring the landscape into dialogue with the design. The forms were kept simple, and all the custom-designed furniture bears references to a simplified classicism. The materials include oak wood in two shades, combined with stones in matching colors. The fabrics and carpets follow natural, earthy tones, soothing the wild textures of Mani’s stone and wood, balancing the interiors with the unique surrounding landscape.

 

Landscape tapestry

The property, in the east part of the island, is facing Naxos. The terrain is steep, containing an olive grove and dry-stone earth retaining walls looking like threads on the ground.

 

Landscape integration

The concept for the new building is to weave into the existing landscape. The house extends meandering in-between the olive trees and daily life is organized around three of them, that are assigned special importance. The many thresholds of the house correspond to individual courtyards, on different levels; those are retained by new dry-stone walls, emulating the existing ones.

The curved, threadlike system of the old walls becomes striated at the area of intervention. Rectangular courtyards, becoming stages for everyday life, compose a patchwork fabric woven into the landscape. This way, the house becomes a canvas highlighting nature.

 

Spatial organization

The compound is comprised of three distinct volumes: The main house, with the kitchen, the living room and three master bedrooms, escalates towards the south; a second volume with a guest room and a third one with a mezzanine for the family’s children and their friends, turn towards the east. At their junction, an open-air cooking area under a pergola becomes the core of the house.

 

Material Palette

The material and color palette of the outdoor spaces integrates the house into the natural landscape of the island. Hard floor surfaces are faced with grey pressed cement, in the same tonality as the frames and shutters of the openings breaking the whiteness of the walls. The impression is complemented with wooden pergolas in their natural tone and dry-stone walls.

The exact same palette is repeated in the interior, where the fair-faced concrete ceiling and the grey cement flooring frame the white vertical surfaces in-between. Case and mobile furniture feature wooden surfaces in a natural tone, highlighted by light or dark blue details on fabric upholstery or ornamental tiles.

 

Lighting Design & Sustainability

Lighting is either built into the ceiling or indirect, from the low part of the walls. The house is bioclimatic. Rainwater from the terraces is collected, filtered and reused, while all spaces benefit from natural cross-ventilation, creating a pleasant cooling effect during the summer months.

Simple design

Overlooking the endless blue of the Aegean Sea, the new hospitality complex features three holiday homes and is located in the pristine location of Katodio, Karpathos.

 

Landscape Integration

The new hotel name evokes one of the island’s most intimate rituals: evening gatherings with family and friends. Situated in the rugged topography of Katodio, the three villas are designed in an amphitheatrical setting, becoming integrated with the natural landscape and offering panoramic sea views. By adhering to the traditional architectural scale of the site, the design incorporates open spaces between the structures, while ensuring each villa’s privacy.

Architectural Language

The architectural volumes are meticulously clad in dark and whitewashed surfaces to seamlessly blend into the natural landscape. Each villa features its own swimming pool with direct access from the living room, as well as a private courtyard enriched with aromatic herbs to enhance the authentic experience. Large openings merge the indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in nature during their stay.

The rustic charm of the island inspired the simple design of both the exterior and interior of the houses, while the wild, raw beauty of the landscape influenced the color palette, where earthy and stone tones playing a dominant role.

 

Materials & Textures

Modern contrasts throughout the design come together in a minimalist setting, featuring natural materials in shades of grey and ranging from black to white. Raw wood is used in furniture as well as an accent and, along with natural textures and fabrics, creates a balanced blend of traditional and contemporary elements. Nothing appears superfluous, with all components and materials operating in complete harmony.

Traditional typology

The vacation residence, situated on a rocky slope overlooking the Aegean Sea, draws its character from the traditional Cycladic settlements. It features minimalist, small volumes that are closely integrated into the hillside and oriented towards the stunning sea view.

 

Project Aim

The building, with a total area of 500m², is designed for a family of four seeking a modern residence that blends harmoniously with the architecture of Syros. The design features a distinctive presence in the landscape, using natural materials and neutral colors. The owners requested spacious interiors and ample accommodation for frequent guests. The proposal creates a cluster of low, rectangular volumes connected by a network of pathways, linking enclosed spaces with the roofs, gardens, and courtyards. The functions are arranged on different levels, taking full advantage of the steep slope of the site to provide unobstructed views from every angle.

 

 

Functional Organization

The main residence includes a master suite and a second bedroom, along with a freestanding, open-plan lounge room. Two guest rooms provide additional sleeping quarters and are connected to the main structure through shared utilities and strategically designed openings. The central courtyard acts as a plaza and serves as the “heart” of the residence, directing movement towards the infinity pool and outdoor seating area at the lowest point of the plot. This courtyard offers unobstructed views of the horizon. The underground level features a gym and yoga terrace, providing a private, tranquil environment.

 

 

Material Palette

The simple material palette of unpainted local stone, wood, and plaster, along with the scattered arrangement of the building volumes, gives the complex the appearance of having naturally emerged from the arid island landscape. The light, natural colors, terrazzo mosaic floors, traditional sunshades, and pergolas are complemented by a garden of native vegetation and a planted roof, enhancing the building’s seamless integration into the Syros environment. The ensemble exudes a sense of understated luxury, featuring large, spacious interiors and a wealth of meticulously crafted details and materials such as Olympus marble, travertine stone, reeds, and natural oak.

The architecture reflects the owners’ wish for a residence that evokes the feel of traditional Aegean settlements, offering a diverse array of spatial experiences and qualities. Leveraging the large size of the plot, the design seamlessly connects the interior and exterior spaces, creating visual narratives and oriented views throughout the property.

 

The nest

The property is in Ayios Yannis, at Kostos village in Paros. It benefits from a southeastern orientation on its long side, with a view of the sea and the gulf of Naxos.

 

Landscape Integration

The building, touching upon the hillside, adapts to the terrain contours following the ground morphology, and becomes almost encaved on its west side. Angular walls allude to the dry-stone retaining walls which are ubiquitous in the Cyclades, forming a shell that maintains a beneficial microclimate under any weather conditions.

The house features the double character of an architecture that is at once integrated into the landscape geometries and a wall that generates living spaces; it is expressed in a façade delineating the levels and organizes living and viewing areas. The design does not follow the typical white volume clustering, but instead defines a series of patios, walkways, enclosed courtyards, descents and connecting stairs behind a white wall.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Special attention was given to the “fifth” façade, which involves the roofs, while the design is dominated by repetition and standardization of the openings. The west side, at the highest point of the property, accommodates a descending entrance that leads to the heart of the compound. An elongated hallway connects the rooms of the main building, opening framed views to cape Kefalos in Paros and the neighboring island of Naxos, through selected openings on the southeastern façade.

 

 

Circulation Routes

The descent through the interior to the wide outdoor terrace of the living quarters is a gradual transition to the framed landmarks of the Aegean, from within the building to the panorama from the terrace: Naoussa, Naxos town, cape Antikefalon, the western side of Naxos, Kastraki, Iraklia and Ios unfold before the eyes of the onlooker. The courtyards, paved in mosaics, are created next to the living spaces, and follow the natural inclination of the terrain.

The enclosed yard on the west side is immediately connected to the living room, which, together with the kitchen and the two bedrooms, enjoys a sea view; a lower level accommodates a subterranean guest house. The architectural expression results from the use of natural elements, fills in voids redefining necessities, images and living spaces; it acts as a complement, embracing the surface of the landscape tightly, taking root, becoming an integral part of the surroundings.

 

Serene haven

Nestled within an idyllic setting, the captivating residence in Punta, Paros, embodies a harmonious fusion of two distinct housing units. Connecting them is a central hall, adorned with a pergola, gracefully bridging the building volumes, and providing seamless transitions through shared outdoor spaces.

 

Positioning & Orientation

The residence fully embraces its western orientation, aligning its architecture with the geometry of the site to offer breathtaking views of the sea and mesmerizing sunsets. Access to the property is granted from the eastern side, where visitors embark on an enchanting stroll through an ancient olive grove, gradually revealing the architectural composition and unveiling panoramic vistas.

 

Functional Organization

Internally, the kitchen and dining area operate independently yet maintain a direct connection to one another. Both spaces integrate with their respective outdoor areas, which are in close proximity, affording shade and unobstructed views of the coastline. The bedrooms are situated on the eastern side, at the rear of the building, facing the garden. This deliberate placement ensures increased privacy and tranquility, sheltered from the shared spaces.

The outdoor environment, shaped as an embrace between the pergola and a covered seating area, protected within stone walls, accommodates a swimming pool, a pool lounge, and a shaded dining area adjacent to the outdoor kitchen. The landscape design incorporates vegetable gardens that serve both residences. The intermediate semi outdoor spaces blend indoor and outdoor elements, unifying them functionally and aesthetically.

 

Material Palette

The building showcases a palette of earthy hues, with dark-colored stone, natural wood, textured concrete, and colored plaster. The latter pays homage to the urban tradition of Paros, with warm earthy tones frequently used in building facades, setting them apart from the conventional white. The same color palette is echoed within the interior spaces, employing earthy tones, stone, wood, as well as a blend of contemporary and preserved antique furniture, imbuing the entire residence with a distinctive character.

The interplay between architectural volumes and the Cycladic light, pronounced contrasts, shadows, and human scale converge to create an architecture that stands out, interpreting the spirit of the place and accentuating its timeless characteristics. Every significant detail within the spaces bears the mark of human craftsmanship and the patina of materials on walls, window frames, and water outlets, introducing a sense of temporal dimension to the living experience.

White Ribbon

The “Riza” residence in Psilafi, situated atop the highest point of Angairia, in Paros, is a testament to the harmonious integration of contemporary design with the arid topography of the Cyclades. Its pristine white walls gracefully unfold like a geometric ribbon, delineating and enclosing the various volumes of the structure.

 

Landscape integration

The elongated side of the house benefits from a favorable southwestern orientation, granting breathtaking views of the sea and Antiparos Island. Drawing inspiration from the local vernacular architecture of the “katikies”, which exhibit a unique character influenced by the rugged terrain, this design assembles a series of architectural arrangements into a cohesive whole, irrespective of their distinct purposes such as dwellings, storage spaces, or stables.

Reinterpreting the essence of these vernacular clusters into a modern, liberated form, the house’s design manifests as a white ribbon that emerges organically from the ground, gracefully embracing the surrounding landscape.

This approach results in a multi-faceted structure that seamlessly adapts to the undulating terrain, with interconnected courtyards at different levels, all oriented towards the mesmerizing vistas. By emphasizing the integration of outdoor spaces, the design seeks to create a distinctive residential compound that pays homage to Cycladic architecture.

 

Circulation route

The house’s layout encompasses communal areas such as the kitchen, dining, and lounge spaces, along with three ensuite bedrooms. Additionally, a guest house, intentionally detached from the main volume to ensure privacy, is also incorporated. Both the guest house and the primary building feature strategically positioned openings.

Those seamlessly connect the interior with the exterior, facilitating the expansion of living spaces into sheltered courtyards during the summer months, shielded from the northerly winds. The concept of the ribbon is further evident in the seamless flow of movement between the living quarters and the roof area. Upon descending the main flight of steps, guests are guided through an entrance courtyard flanked by a combination of white and stone retaining walls, reminiscent of the vernacular drystone construction. From here, one can choose to enter the main building, proceed towards the guest house guided by a captivating water feature, or venture onto the roof to savor panoramic views of the Aegean Sea.

 

Material aesthetic

An intriguing aspect of the composition lies in the diverse sizes and heights of the openings, casting playful shadows on the otherwise monolithic white volume. While drawing inspiration from vernacular architecture, the building reimagines its character through a contemporary lens, embodying a modern aesthetic. In conclusion, this residence in Psilafi represents a harmonious fusion of contemporary design principles with the Cycladic landscape, showcasing a refined architectural expression that pays homage to the region’s vernacular heritage while embracing a contemporary spirit.

Dialogue with the city

In the developing area of Makedonitissa, a new two-story residence that includes a basement and swimming pool introduces a modern design concept for urban living.

 

Design Morphology

The project aims to emphasize the dynamic interplay between privacy and transparency, providing an immersive residential experience. Situated on a plot of land with a steep uphill slope, the building turns the challenging topography into a design advantage. The façade is characterized by a tall, perforated wall that enhances privacy and security, facilitating a dialogue between public and private spaces and clearly defining the residence’s boundaries.

 

Spatial Configuration

On the ground floor, the interior layout provides rich visual experiences and seamless connections to the outdoor areas. A spacious atrium, located at the heart of the residence, serves as a central axis that functionally and visually connects the staircase, living area, and dining spaces. This design fosters a sense of openness and brightness, promoting social interaction and visual continuity with the surrounding environment. The infinity pool, positioned near the perforated wall, introduces an impressive aesthetic dimension and creates an atmosphere of tranquility and relaxation, establishing unique views that enrich the residents’ experience. On the first floor, three en-suite bedrooms are strategically positioned to maximize the plot’s uphill slope, providing panoramic views of the city. The integration of these spaces into the natural topography achieves an impressive and functional configuration.

 

Material Selection

The residence’s materiality is based on earthy tones and high-quality textures: white oak, marble patterns and concrete become the dominant textures, combining modern aesthetics with warmth and elegance and creating an intimate and harmonious environment that compliments the urban fabric.