House 9

  • Year: 2023
  • Location: Loggos, Greece
  • Size: 100 m2
  • Status: Construction

The design of this summer house departed from the need of fitting a contemporary residence on a relatively small site while simultaneously dealing with views of neighbouring buildings and the uninterrupted south sunlight. The first design gesture is the considered placement of a 7×7 metre cube within the site, maximizing the landscaped area and views. This two-storey cube yields a floor area of 98 square meters with the site planning limit being 100. The cube is then expanded to a 9×9 meter grid in order to incorporate two porches and the stairway, while it is raised by a meter from the natural ground in order to allow natural light into the basement through clerestories.

After the creation of the main building form, the 9×9 cube is decomposed by subtracting volumes, creating strategically placed voids on the East and West elevations, a double height entrance and a west facing porch which is a physical expansion of the living room into the landscaped area. The strategy of form building through subtraction yields a design with openings limited to the completely necessary and a form which is grounded creating a sense of stability and permanence. In addition, on a technical level, the limited glazing and white south facing walls, shelter the house from the unforgiving summer heat of the area and allow direct sunlight into the living spaces only during late afternoon, consequently minimizing significantly energy consumption and enhancing thermal comfort.