Contact with nature

The project involves a building comprising two independent residences, located in a quiet street of Filothei, in Athens, overlooking Drossopoulou Park.

 

Residential scenario

Suburban living requires contact with nature. The study aims to design the two residences while maintaining contact with the sun, the view, the land, and the greenery. This contact is perceived as two independent strategies: on the one hand, direct tactile contact with natural elements and on the other hand, visual contact, views and association with landmarks.

 

Structure of the volumes and orientation

The 170m² ground-floor residence is configured with a constant reference to the garden, which is delimited by tall planting and the linear swimming pool in direct relation to the leisure areas. The first-floor residence, 190m² in area, with a double-height living room and mezzanine, is structured within a porous rectangular prism that encloses its outdoor spaces. The open zone of these spaces functions as an elevated garden for the upper floor residence and orientates it towards the open views to the southwest.

 

Entrance and common area

The entrance to the residences is on the north side of the plot, through a covered ramp leading to the centre of the building, where the communal staircase is located. A free-standing wall along the entrance path up to the fence marks and delimits the communal entrance from the garden of the ground floor residence.

 

Transparency and shading elements

The residences are configured with extensive glass surfaces in the leisure areas, which ensure uninterrupted continuity and communication between enclosed, semi-outdoor and outdoor spaces. In addition, movable shading elements, vertical and horizontal, regulate light, visuals and transparency.