Material uniformity

The work derives its name from terra, the Italian word for “earth,” reflecting a profound bond with nature and the landscape. This choice underscores the seamless integration of the residence with its natural surroundings, emphasizing harmony between design and environment.

 

Context Integration

The project entails the development of a luxury residential complex in Ermioni, within the Argolida prefecture, comprising four independent residences unified by two expansive outdoor swimming pools. These pools serve as a connecting element, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces.

The residences are strategically positioned to follow the plot’s topography, ensuring unobstructed views, abundant natural light, and a subtle integration with the surrounding terrain. The architectural design folows clean geometric lines and natural materials, evoking timeless warmth and balance. Expansive glazed windows flood the interiors with natural light, creating bright, airy spaces that enhance transparency and reinforce the connection to the landscape.

 

Material Palette

Wood is a key material in the design, imparting a sense of intimacy and fostering a seamless connection between the spaces and the surrounding environment. The project’s colour palette features soft, natural tones, with terracotta in rich earthy hues as the dominant shade. This choice of colours adds a subtle elegance, offering a striking contrast to the greenery of nature and the deep blue sky. The result is an atmosphere that is perfectly integrated into the landscape, maintaining aesthetic balance while emphasizing the home’s connection to the Argolida region.

 

Interior Layout

The interior layout is designed to prioritize privacy and comfort for its users. The communal areas are positioned on the central level, providing easy access to the outdoor spaces and swimming pools. Meanwhile, private areas are located in more secluded sections of the residence, ensuring tranquillity and discretion. This arrangement fosters a sense of security and enhances the overall living experience.

Central atrium

The hotel is situated in the seaside village of Kamari, near the coast of Santorini. It offers views to the north-east, overlooking the sea, and to the south-west, with a stunning perspective of the Profitis Ilias mountain.

 

Functional Layout

The building is situated on a corner plot and comprises two floors, with a basement level for ancillary uses. The ground floor features the reception area, a restaurant-bar, and eight rooms, while the first floor contains an additional seven rooms. The main entrance is located on the south-western side of the building, accessible via the municipal road, leading directly to the reception area. The restaurant-bar and rooms on both floors are reached through open and semi-covered corridors and staircases, primarily positioned along the perimeter of the complex.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The primary goal of the design was to create a central atrium-water feature that serves as the core of the composition. Surrounding it, the individual volumes, functions, and circulation paths are arranged in an asymmetrical Π shape, allowing the building to open towards the view and the sea. The water element starts as a narrow strip parallel to the reception area, then curves, gradually widens, and eventually transforms into a swimming pool that runs the length of the building’s atrium. Surrounding the pool are the rooms and the restaurant-bar, with their outdoor spaces extending into the water, as if they are floating.

The rooms on the upper floor, which are in direct visual alignment with the central atrium, also feature outdoor spaces and smaller private pools, further emphasizing the central concept. The building’s form, shaped by the volumes and voids, is gently integrated into the scale and character of its residential surroundings. It takes on a simple cubist appearance, blending traditional elements with modern design.

 

 

Material Palette & Decorative Elements

The interior design draws inspiration from both traditional and modern architectural elements of the island, referencing the morphology and decorative features of its local style. It incorporates the tones and textures of the volcanic landscape, alongside the atmosphere of Mediterranean seaside hotels.

Key design elements include the shape and size of the openings, domes, horizontal slats, spindles, dry-stone walls, tiled mosaics, and the earthy hues of pressed concrete. Bright colors and natural materials are used in the furniture, fixtures, and decorations, while intricate fabric patterns, along with tropical plants, further enrich the space. These elements come together harmoniously, creating a unique and cohesive style.