Constructions with sensitivity and respect to the environment and in human relations
Our projects are based on the philosophy that each place has its own history, with its own dynamics. We are inspired by the study of local architecture and materials, environment and climate, history and culture, which have composed the character of the place over the years.
Collaborations
We create daily collaborations with other companies in the field, smaller or larger, local or not, to deliver your project completed on time, with guaranteed quality of materials at every stage of construction, without discounts on the quality of the result.
We pay special attention to the details of the materials up to the final stage, even for the fabrics, the knobs, the cabinets, the bathroom items, etc., as they decisively contribute to the final result.
In the South of the Peloponnese region, near the settlement of Chranoi, in a quiet and secluded location about 23 km southwest from the beautiful city of Kalamata, the new owners from Athens inherited an abandoned 1970’s house with several problems.
The building consists of two spaces (rooms) constructed in different times. When it was undertaken, it was in the phase of bricks, proving that it had remained for decades at the mercy of the weather conditions since the property was never completed.
The location of the property, however, was its incomparable advantage, as we found out right during the first onsite inspection, even before been assigned to its completion.
It regards a small house just 100 meters from the sea, of which 50 meters comprise part of the property as a surrounding area. The altitude difference from the sea is about 6.50 m, ensuring an endless view over the Messinian Gulf.
Olive trees aged over 50 are the only barriers between the house and the sea, but also the witnesses of the history and the struggle for survival over time and weather.
The building was not loaded at all, except for a rudimentary wooden roof with metal sheets (zinc panels). Due to the poor construction, though, and the small ground movements in the past, there were strong cracks both in the foundation and the supporting structure of the superstructure.
Following our philosophy that every property, regardless of its size, must have our utmost attention, we began together with the new owners the journey of seeking its rescue, use and configuration; a journey that took its way and finished with tight budget and with specific criteria.
We started from the stabilisation of the soil by constructing small and low retaining walls in the surrounding area of the property, so that the clear view is not obstructed; at the same time, small flower beds were also made at different levels, expanding thus the field of view.
Then, making interventions considered appropriate and targeted, we ensured the foundation and the load-bearing structure, giving the property a new breath and duration over time.
We focused on the sea taking into consideration the wider environment and through researches and fermentations we came to the present result.
We ended up creating an elegant small apartment, without deviating from the outline, with an emphasis on simplicity and freedom, as well as on the removal of any unnecessary elements through traditional techniques.
The soft pastel colours in the window and door frames, the earthy shades of the floors and the walls, as well as the choices of furniture and sanitary ware, combined with the timelessness and nobility that the stone offers, perfectly integrate this small country house in the Mediterranean environment.
The result justified our decision and gave the opportunity to the new owners to keep visiting tranquility and the sea, away from the bustling Athens, whenever their busy schedule allows it.
In the southern Peloponnese, in a quiet and peaceful location and near the beautiful city of Kalamata, the new owners from abroad initially bought an area of approximately one acre.
They imagined an exquisite and unique house, which at the beginning would serve as a holiday home with the possibility of hosting friends and relatives and later would become their permanent residence.
The connection of the owners with the wider area and the deep love they developed during the period of designing made them further buy other adjoining properties.
The whole complex was formed by a number of independent buildings among olive trees and Mediterranean vegetation; the plot is located on the borders of Western Mani and has inherited the physical characteristics of the area.
The low volumes in combination with the scattered buildings create a harmony and allow nature to predominate. The use of traditional techniques, with stone being the main material, gives the impression that the buildings have been there for centuries, on the craggy and thirsty land of Mani.
The inclination of the plot, in relation to its elongated shape and its fine orientation, makes the endless view play the lead.
The carefully selected location of the pool creates its own setting and as a crossroads of main streets in a bustling city, it gathers the social life of this microcosm. Being at some distance from the buildings to enhance privacy, but at the same time in direct contact with them, it offers moments of well being and relaxation.
The soft pastel colours in the window and door frames, the earthy shades of the floors and the walls, as well as the selection of furniture and sanitary ware, combined with the timelessness and nobility that the stone offers, perfectly integrate this holiday house in the rough landscape of Mani.
The result is one of a kind and gives the opportunity to the new owners to keep visiting tranquility and nature a few steps away from the sea and far away from the bustling daily routine, every time they manage to escape from their busy schedule.
The three-storey house is located in a residential area, within the limits of the urban planning zone of Kalamata, with small buildings up to 11.00 m high, as strictly provided for pursuant to the urban planning regulations in force.
The choice of this plot with an oblong trapezoidal shape and with a gentle inclination from back to front was not negotiable for the owners, as this plot had been a family property for a long time.
The building consists of the basement, which serves as an auxiliary space for the owners, the ground floor, which includes the staircase with the lift, a small but elegant apartment to host the grandparents and the external shared spaces, which offer beautiful moments to the owners.
The installation of the BBQ in the configuration of the surrounding area reveals the strong fancy of the owners for gatherings with family and friends.
In addition, the conscious decision to build a playground led to playful and safe moments for the family’s four children, while water was rejected from the beginning, as this option would be a cause for concern for the owners.
The first floor consists of the living and dining rooms and four bedrooms for the “lilliputian” owners with several practical and smart spaces for storing the multitude of items required for the daily life of a large family.
The second floor is an independent space, a master suite, with an open setup, airy, equipped with all the amenities for the necessary seclusion and isolation of the couple from the intense rhythms the upbringing of the large family requires, where they can find their privacy.
Α small roof garden with low planting, both for thermal insulation and relaxation purposes, with an unobstructed view of the city comes to complete the construction. The view offers its beauty generously to the owners, either in the morning when the city wakes up and the people rush around or in the night when it slows down, keeping company with its colourful lights to those who enjoy it from above.
Both the exterior architecture and the interior design were guided by the wish of the owners for a modern construction with all the comforts, without unnecessary elements in the facades and special constructions, keeping the project budget within the desired limit.
A simple arrangement of the volumes in the shades of gray, green and off-white predominates the outside, whereas in the living and dining rooms, apart from some neutral shades of gray in the furniture, the white colour is mostly to be seen on the walls and ceilings, transforming thus the space into an ideal canvas for the works of art, the furniture and the various metal elements which add their own touches to the final result. The children’s rooms are basically painted in pastel shades.
The selection of stone in shades of gray and green in a part of the construction came to add to the whole and to bring back pleasant memories from the owners’ tender childhood.
The north-south orientation of the property, in combination with the narrow face, limited but did not prevent the openings to the east.
The targeted use of glass blocks on the blind sides of the property allows the light to diffuse and the shades to change often during the day inside the house. In this way, the impression, both externally and internally, changes in every look and movement.
The “kube house” property is located at the southwestern tip of the Peloponnese, in a suburban area of Kalamata, on a plot of approximately 1,100.00 m2.
It was designed to meet the needs of a four-member family.
The design planning was defined by the requirements for modern architecture, combining comfort, ease of use, practicality with the necessary protection and safety. The architectural solutions were based on the sculptural design of the volumes with distinct lines, altering the boundaries of both the interior and the exterior space.
Trying to decode the priorities and the preferences of the owners, in combination with the integration of the house in the environment, we created a two-storey house with all modern comforts for a family and aesthetically appealing surroundings.
The clarity of the form of the yard was emphasised with the natural elements of the garden and the coexistence of water, establishing a spot of attraction and relaxation for the family and their beloved ones.
The two-storey building consists of an independent house on the first floor, comfortable and fully equipped for the family of four, and a small functional apartment on the ground floor with easy access, smart and practical solutions internally, in order to effectively accommodate an elderly family member.
The sculptural geometry of the lines breaks down the boundaries between the indoor and outdoor spaces, strongly creating the feeling of freedom.
The selection of a free-standing house placed within the plot allowed the light to diffuse indoors during the whole day, creating visual escapes to the surrounding landscape.
The property gained the option to breathe regardless of the orientation of the elements of nature.
Reinforced insulation in the shell, especially thermal break windows and frames, together with mobile and stationary passive shading systems ensure the protection of the house from the weather.
The energy footprint of the construction was minimised with the installation of modern heat pumps, in order to control the temperature in the interior space. Additional mechanical equipment was installed to supply hot water with zero energy consumption. The collection of rainwater has also been designed in order to be used for the irrigation of the surrounding area and to wash parts of the property.
