Sculptural retreat

The study concerns a property located within the consolidated urban fabric of the town of the island of Chios, characterized by dense development. The specific plot adjoins a neighboring property to the northeast, while its remaining sides are free.

 

Design Philosophy

The aim of the composition was to seek an architectural expression that resists the mechanistic application of formal restrictions. The building’s massing is shaped by the interplay of different geometries that articulate the façades, achieving a sense of peripheral plasticity. The interlocking of volumes forms the compact core of the building, which is anchored to the stairwell nucleus, transferring movement from the basement to the roof terrace.

 

 

Functional Organization

The ground-floor apartment benefits from direct access to outdoor spaces on both sides: to the east, the living areas open onto an outdoor space, while to the west, the bedrooms connect to a small, privately defined garden. Large openings on the façades contribute to visual openness from the interior toward the landscaped exterior and enhance the extroverted character of the apartment, while privacy is ensured by a perimeter enclosure composed of a solid wall and latticework.

The upper-floor apartment is organized on two levels: the main level and a loft. All spaces have access to terraces at different points along the façades, offering varied geometries and visual perspectives. By positioning the loft above the bedrooms, a double-height space is achieved in the shared areas, which, in combination with the metal structure to the south and the large openings to the northwest, introduces diverse spatial qualities throughout the apartment. A defining element of the façade is the lattice screen, which provides solar protection without obstructing outward views from the interior. Conversely, the large, glazed opening to the south allows winter sunlight to penetrate through a system of internal blinds, enabling direct solar gain.

 

 

Materials & Vegetation

Along the main street, the curved form guiding access to the entrance simultaneously reinforces a sense of enclosure. The composition of different materials – colored renders, exposed concrete, metal structures, and glazing – highlights the geometries of the volumes. Finally, priority was given to surrounding the building with dense vegetation; for this reason, the areas paved with cast material in the open space are limited to what is strictly necessary to ensure access.

 

Natural volumes

The building consists of four apartments located on the ground and first, while the underground spaces serve as garages and storage rooms. The aim of the design is to integrate the building with the distinct Aegean landscape.

 

Design Philosophy

The orientation and outline of the plot plays a decisive role in the design composition, due to its elongated shape as well as the way in which it faces the sea. Consequently, the residences are carefully arranged to provide views to the landscape through all communal interior spaces. The rigid building volume is placed at a distance from the eastern boundary to make up for the plot’s height difference and ensure access through a series of “green” courtyards -the walls of which follow the sloping topography.

 

Interior Organization

A communal staircase becomes the central core around which the four residences are organized. An important factor influencing the spatial layout is each flat’s distinct orientation. The northern volume “slides” to the west and maximizes the amount of natural light entering the communal areas, while south window openings provide natural light to the more private spaces of the building.

 

Material Palette and Vegetation

The building is cladded with natural materials such as local stone and wood, while the outdoor spaces are planted with dense vegetation placed in custom flower basins casted with concrete. The local materials and careful landscape design complement the building’s distinct morphology, successfully integrating it with the existing topography.