The Nidus

Passive House in Kalamata

The Nidus, a building made according to the Passive House standard, is located in Kalamata, inside an extensive olive grove, which is a pocket of nature enclosed within a rapidly growing part of the urban fabric. The geometric structure of the building features three irregular horizontal zones. The base, containing the basement, the outdoor spaces, and the swimming pool, appears like a geological formation of rough, untreated stone, becoming a socle to support the consecutive levels of the building.

The middle level on groundfloor, hosting the main living areas, is shaped into an extensive, off-white volume that acts as a visual barrier to the interior. Ultimately, the crowning of the building is materialized in a perforated veil, embracing the private spaces of the house on the upper level like a nest (nidus), perched upon the hard building volumes. The street front is treated with a hard limit where all service areas are lined along. The living areas enjoy views over a lush green area with the castle of Kalamata in the background.  

Project details

Architectural and interior design: Gonzalez - Malama Architects

Team design: Marios Gonzalez, Christina Malama, Αngeliki Bairaktari, Anna Tsoka

Structural design: Liakos Consulting & Construction

E/M design: Four Seasons Klima-engineering

Construction management: Gonzalez - Malama Architects

Passive house consultants: Liakos Consulting & Construction, Gonzalez - Malama Architects

Passive house certification: Hellenic Passive House Institute

Lighting design: Barislight, Gonzalez-Malama Architects

Landscape: Donatos Nikou, Gonzalez-Malama Architects

Text: Gonzalez - Malama Architects

Photos: Panagiotis Voumvakis 

Suppliers advertised in this issue

Frames: ALUMINCO

Xpand: METALSKIN

Insulation, tile adhesives: MAPEI

Sanitary ware: BAGNO Y BAGNO

Interior floors: PARKELLAS

Lighting: BARISLIGHT, ARTEMIDE

Kitchen appliances: BLUM HELLAS

Gypsum boards system: KNAUF

Ventilation systems: SYSTEMAIR

Sealing waterproofing systems: PENETRON HELLAS