Prismatic volumes

Casa Cally is a two-story house in Kifissia, organized around a central diagonal axis that unifies the entire space.

 

Architectural Volumes

The composition is defined by two primary, monolithic volumes. The ground floor, arranged in a square plan, forms a parallel plane that serves as a “pedestal” for the structure and houses the main living areas. Above it, the prismatic volume of the upper floor projects outwards, tracing the diagonal axis and further emphasizing the design’s dynamic form. This upper volume accommodates the bedrooms and bathrooms, while showcasing the building’s distinctive geometry.

 

Exterior Spaces & Vegetation

Outdoor spaces are integral to the overall design. The backyard serves as a natural extension of the living room, achieved through a large corner glass wall that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor areas. On the first floor, a rooftop terrace with seating and lush vegetation offers a unique experience; a circular opening in the floor visually connects the two levels, enhancing interaction between them. The greenery is thoughtfully integrated into these outdoor areas, creating a unified and harmonious environment.

 

Color Palette

White dominates the color palette, allowing natural light to enhance the furnishings while charcoal accents emphasize the exterior openings. The clean geometry casts shadows and reflections, creating a dynamic interplay across the volumes. This composition is further enriched by the prismatic volume, whose openings feature adjustable blinds for flexible shading and privacy.

Investigative typologies

The house is located in the area near the castle of Kolossi (Koulas), in Limassol. The proximity to the monument triggered systematic research into the typology of the “koula”, which refers to medieval watchtowers, leading to a series of original design choices.

 

Layout organization

The placement of the building, the openings and the organization of the exterior spaces was developed in such a way that the existing trees in the plot take a prominent role. The main volume of the composition, inspired by the compact form and small openings of the medieval watchtowers, consists of two levels of enclosed living spaces and a third open terrace, which functions as a roof garden. A second, linear volume that increases the functional space of the ground floor is differentiated in form and materiality, emphasizing the height and dynamics of the main tower. On the south side, the living room is immersed in the surrounding garden, while on the north side the bedroom “floats” above it.

 

Façade Design

The intention to achieve a monolithic appearance for both the external and internal walls led to a systematic investigation of construction methods. The chosen technique involved using precast double walls of reinforced concrete cast in metal molds, eliminating the need for beams and columns. This method provided a perfectly smooth surface once assembled on site. Additionally, thermal insulation and various installations, specially designed for each specific case, are located within the walls.

 

Interior Design

The structural transparency that characterizes the exterior is carried through to the interior. The walls in the main volume are made of exposed concrete, while the secondary volume is clad in timber, the material used for the structural frame.

The natural textures and distinctive technical characteristics of both the concrete and wood, along with other materials chosen for the fixed furnishings, create an engaging interior environment. The red color scheme selected for the furniture in the main volume enhances the material contrasts, fostering an intense and lively atmosphere. Lighting elements are painted in the same color and made of the same materials showcased throughout the space, thus contributing to a cohesive overall feel.

Monochromatic Sculpture

The project is about a contemporary 700m2 residence with stunning sea views, surrounded by a 100-year-old natural park. The design is minimal and is comprised of consecutive monolithic volumes, which are seamlessly integrated with the landscape topography.

 

Building Morphology & Materials

The architectural form is emphasized through dynamic rigid lines, which frame the views of the surrounding landscape. The elevations oriented towards the street are completely solid, whereas the ones facing the panoramic views are adorned with glass. The residence’s exterior is painted in a soft white color that contrasts the surrounding greenery and the tall cypress trees. The lower level that leads to the garden and the main swimming pool is clad with local stone, visually “grounding” the building and distinguishing it from three upper floors.

 

Functional Organization

The ground floor houses a gym and a hammam and has access to the exterior swimming pool. The first floor is an open plan space that includes the kitchen, dining room and living room as well as a large terrace with an impressive shallow pool with a glass bottom. This intricate design solution fosters a dialogue between the two floors. Additionally, the water is reflected on the transparent surface, creating an interplay with the sunlight and casting shadows to the monochromatic façade. The building’s third level is comprised of blocks housing guest bedrooms, while the fourth level features a master bedroom complete with a private terrace. External and internal staircases have been meticulously designed to facilitate convenient accessibility routes and enable independent use of each level.

 

Guesthouse Design

Prior to the project’s start, the clients acquired an adjacent site extending horizontally along the sea and adjoining the main property on the left side. On this secondary plot a compact yet fully equipped, self-sufficient guesthouse with an entertainment area was constructed. The aim was to create a cohesive ensemble of two buildings and to carefully design the shared spaces and connections between them.

An external staircase leads from the parking lot to the main pool level and eventually stops at the front of the guesthouse, where a small lounge is positioned. The entertainment area is intimate, cozy, and entirely secluded, ensuring privacy from the main house. Both residences utilize a shared material palette such as locally sourced stone masonry and light concrete slabs, fostering a sense of unity between the two buildings.

Life in the in-between space

The complex consists of three residences with private pools built on a lush hillside. To accommodate the steep terrain and maximize ocean views, the buildings were strategically arranged in parallel, staggered formations, guaranteeing uninterrupted views from every level.

 

Design Morphology

Each house consists of a monolithic stone block with an inset single-pitched roof, parallel to the other two buildings. The distance between them creates intermediate spaces, such as entrance courtyards and terraces that are oriented towards the sea. A series of openings in the inner courtyards provide panoramic views of the sea and the pool terrace, facilitating visual connections between the primary outdoor living areas that surround the space. This duality between the two main living spaces and the residence in the middle was a key design theme: two courtyards used during different times of the day, in visual and functional continuity with the interior of the house, overlooking the sea.

 

Interior Layout

In its interior, the house is divided into three levels, following the slope of the ground. At the main entrance level there is an open-plan space, which includes the living area and kitchen. At its center, a wooden staircase leads to the attic of the first two houses, acting both as a visual divider between the spaces as well as a built-in sofa with space for storage.

 

Natural Materials

The most predominant materials are stone, excavated from the site, wood and lightweight metal structures. The contrast between the metal elements and the large glass openings with the solid stone walls, highlights the composition and offers a sense of lightness to the space.