2016-2020

Distinction in the category ‘Best built work of the years 2020-22’,

Domes International review of architecture

Judges: Roger Diener, Juan Herreros, Vittorio Pizzigoni

Finalist in Architectural awards 2022, EIA

The three holiday houses are located in Peloponnese in a typical Greek inland landscape close to the Ionian sea. The land is almost entirely covered by olive trees, contrasted by the deep blue sea.

The landmark of the area is one of the biggest and most characteristic of the east Mediterranean basin venetian castle. The tower of the castle “Bourtzi” is an impressive well-maintained example of defensive architecture of the era. Its rigid and austere form – as well as the forms of the agricultural constructions of the area – differ essentially from the typical morphology of the picturesque city houses with the plain symmetrical facades and the ceramic tile roofs.

The unique landscape in which the houses are situated enables the residents the unique experience of observing the blue sea, the sailing boats, the migrant birds, the castle, the clear night sky and the breathtaking sunset.

The simple intersecting cubical volumes, the different types of terraces, the orientation and the lack of symmetry, are the main geometric elements of the buildings. Without any direct historical or iconographic reference to the castle, elements of its geometry are visible in the three small contemporary white holiday houses.

The facades of the houses towards the sea have big windows and balconies opening to the landscape, while the other sides remain hermetic, protecting the privacy of the residents.

Each house has a private swimming pool at ground level, connecting the interior with the exterior.

While forming a unified complex, the three houses are independent but all accessible through the same garden.