Description

Balancing elegantly over the seafront Villa in Kavouri, is an advanced spatial arrangement in modern domestic architecture. Designed to maximize the potential of a narrow sloping site, the residence is arranged over four stories, released by the lightness of its steel-frame structural engineering to soar above the landscape below. Within the vertical axis, inherent transparency offers a complete engagement with the external elements and sky above, allowing the internal programming to extend outwards across multiple levels to create a stylish, open atmosphere reminiscent of the modernist architecture of Sao Paolo.
Organized in a longitudinal direction, the house is arranged around three facades and demonstrates an artistic approach to materials throughout its visual language and composition. The entrance portico is lined with black volcanic stone, embedded with a series of angled aluminum blades that are illuminated at night to form a shimmering parade of light refraction. Arriving from the front gate portico, the promenade begins with a vertical garden that grows intertwined among layers of green glass batons, creating a delicate play of patination and shadows across the front courtyard to the formal arrangement of double-height wooden and glass paneling of the entrance facade. An ornamental pool with mature olive tree set into an island completes the ensemble, arranged beneath a striking angular opening that frames the blue sky above.

The language of the seaward facade is composed of nature and water. A waterfall cascades over volcanic stone from an infinity pool set into the terrace above, with skylights embedded within the pool filtering light down into the living areas beneath. Further planting of climbing ivies and jasmine softens the massing across the lower levels, lightening the architectural profile above, with a second living wall of green glass batons providing a beautiful translucent screen across the northern aspect. The living elements within the architecture typify the building’s environmental ethos, with sustainable materials specified throughout and a green roof with solar panels demonstrating the design’s sustainability credentials. The internal programming is organized to offer flexible spaces for socializing and relaxing throughout, with low stone benches arranged around the full-height windows in the master bedrooms from which to enjoy the captivating views of the coastline below.