Z-House Residence in Nisaki, Corfu

Helical route

The house is located on a steep slope, at the eastern slopes of Pantokrator, on the northeastern side of Corfu, in a stepped olive grove, benefiting from the midday view to the bay of Nisaki and across to Corfu Town.

Design philosophy

The route from the coast to the olive grove follows an uphill course on narrow roads that constantly wrap around stone terraces. The layout of the house is “Z” shaped, both horizontally and vertically, in continuation of this route. Three long blocks of similar dimensions are placed on the highest part of the plot, to maximize the openings facing the view.

Building morphology

The ground floor volume is below ground and made of stone, forming a solid base to support the slope behind it, as a continuation of the existing dry-stone walls. The lighter upper volume, is offset towards the mountain, creating canopies and balconies.

In front of them, a second ground floor volume follows a hybrid logic, and has large sliding openings recessed behind walls of exposed concrete, shifted in relation to the rear volumes and creating a sequence of outdoor, transparent passages that alternate and diffuse the boundaries between interior and exterior. The hybrid logic of the two-story spaces enhances the views and maximizes the experience of weather-protected living next to nature.

Local materials & Roof Design

The material palette attempts to balance the strict geometry of the design logic and the exuberance of the natural Corfu landscape: pebbled floors, local stone, earth-toned cement and black anodized metal elements. Three walls of exposed concrete anchor the building to the landscape and balance the horizontal canopies that extend towards the view. The choice of a flat roof instead of the traditional sloping one, visually minimizes the landscape intervention and contrasts with the steep slope of the land as well as the verticality of the cypress trees, scattered inside the olive grove.