The Design Study is located in the Attic Peninsula and more precisely in the south-eastern part of Athens. Our main intent was to wholly captivate the landscape features and impart our own interpretation of the relationship between the actual building, the flora and fauna and time. The area is coastal with a fairly hard and rocky landscape and minimal vegetation. In addition, the existence of a big enough slope was a key criterion in our design direction. It was significant for us for the space to bestow a unique experience, positioning human at the core, his living experience as well as the emotions evoked. The purpose of the building, that is to say, was to function as a natural continuance of the of the area and space.
The main quest was the creation of a residence which unfolds through three levels. It was designed in a such a way that it was integrated and functions as a single large whole. From a volumetric perspective, the building is emerging from the rough hardscape and is oriented towards the view, in line with the steep slope of the terrain. The main feature of the building is the horizontality, which adds a sense of harmony in the whole, allowing for the appropriate division of the spaces within it. Our intent was for the design to not only be delineated with the urban form of the neighboring buildings, but rather successfully integrate and come into harmony with the environment. The building can be accessed either from the upper level or the lower whilst, disabled access has been forecast on all levels. Moreover, a swimming pool with relaxation and de-stress areas oriented towards the view, is located in the ground floor. On the south side of the plot on the second level, a sun shaded barbeque and lounging area is positioned. The forms, the lighting, the colors and the textures outline and create an exceptional atmosphere which reflects human existence, while the space distinctly communicates our values and approach on it appealing to all the senses, sight, smell, hearing, touch.
The materiality has been explored with the purpose of accommodating the integration, horizontality as well as the playful mingling between the volumes. On the ground floor level stone was chosen as the main material, in the same color palette as the area, whereas the second-floor level is covered in grey concrete, combining in this way the traditional with the contemporary. Finally, on the last level the color white was selected. In this way, the three levels are distinctly separated from one another and with the use of terraces horizontal lines are created which ground the building into the hill. In addition, wood comes as a material to add a warm touch to the whole and serve the proper shading of the spaces. The wooden elements have the option to revolve creating in this way a more enclosed volume or open towards the view on the contrary depending on the residents wishes.
The vegetation of the area is minimal, however at the exterior space of the building green areas are created, both around the pool as well as at the upper levels and terraces transmitting a sense of calmness in the space, the emotion evoked by a functional space which is integrated and respects the environment it is in, and forms a continuation of the area and the time it is positioned in, propounding the creation of experiences. The primordial need of human to define and create his living space and the transformation of nature into a state of civilization was our inspiration for this project which, while it is positioned in an area with intense urban elements, attains the combination of those two elements and harmoniously finds its position within the space.
3d rendering: E studio Branchini
