GEM architects undertook the completion of the house whose main structure and exterior stone walls with the cornices were already built. The intention off the revision study was to emerge the architectural quality of the house based on minimalism, simplicity and modernity.  A whiteness applied on the exterior as well as the interior volumes reveals volumetric associations through the shadows casted. The stone built house unfolds in 4 levels. In the upper level bedrooms are hosted. In the lower mezzo level the kitchen and the living room are hosted. In the lower mezzo level an autonomous guest house with a bedroom, a kitchen and a living room are hosted. Under that floor auxiliary spaces and a garage space are situated. The main courtyard is orientated towards the East with a view to the sea and the island of Naxos.  A linear pergola defines the space towards the South. Underneath lie a dining table, a sitting area and a bbq space. A flower bed towards the North defines the yard whose central space occupies a big overflow swimming pool, the focus point of the everyday activity of the inhabitants. The elevation towards the west unfolds in a linear and escalating way following the relief of the ground. An exterior staircase connects the western yard to the terraces where the panoramic view to the fertile plains of Ambelas and further to the sea and the island of Naxos is magnificent. At the interior, an underfloor water piping network combined with a new technology heat pump and the good insulation of the walls provide low cost heating and cooling. A sophisticated KNX Instabus system controls electrical devices and lighting with an easy to handle communication protocol. The plantation of the environment aimed in restoring the microscale of the Cycladic landscape. Rocks and plants from the local pallet, herbs and bushes are combined in a synthetic way to organize the exterior space through pathways that lead to sitting areas. The general objective of a calm and relaxed vacation house is achieved through the orchestration of the different elements and the minimalist interpretation of a vernacular context.

Project details

Architectural design, supervision: GEM Architects   Despoina    Gounaropoulou, Vicky Emmanouilidou, Petros Bazos

Associated architect: May Aggelaki

Design and construction of Heating System: Multibeton Hellas, Kostas Pagonis

E/M design, construction KNX: Mark Roussos

Design and construction of the swimming pool: Crystal Pools, Pantelis Zissopoulos

Photos: GEM Architects