buerger katsota architects
H A·2
best architects 20
single family homes
Place
Paros, Greece
Studio
Photos
Yiorgis Yerolymbos
Description
On the Cycladic island of Paros, the
conversion of two degraded, eight-room rental studio complexes into two quality
holiday residences required renegotiations on several scales and architectural levels. The scheme combines a composition of cubic volumes, the repetition and
standardisation of openings, generous outdoor shaded spaces and the use of
environmentally friendly materials in order to redefine the site’s expression
and achieve architectural unity in harmony with Cycladic architecture. The
houses adapt to the landscape and the demands of contemporary holiday living. Each building is rearticulated as an assemblage of cubic volumes on an
expressed «base» – a platform. A timber pergola with cantilevering
slender beams creates new shaded, comfortable areas for all-day outdoor living.
The «private» spaces are situated on the ground floor and face south, taking
advantage of the views towards the sea and the level access to the «base». A
central, fully glazed common space was created as an extension of the outside
but also as an indoor continuation of the pergola, allowing the landscape to be
a dynamic, alternating, double-aspect presence. The common living, dining and kitchen areas as well as a guestroom are located on
the upper floor offering panoramic views both from the interior and from the
terraces. Minor interventions in combination with the increase of existing vegetation aim
to enhance the sense and quality of the natural Cycladic landscape.