Vacation house in mountainous Dorida, Greece

The house was built on a sloping site facing south-east and overlooking the Vardousia mountain range.

The principal design element is the square austere tower, which is covered by a pyramid and has an open interior. The suspension of metal construction (bridge-balcony) from hewn stone-work and the relationship between solids and voids characterize the façade. The building attempts to combine familiar traditional forms with contemporary principles of architectural composition.

The characteristics of the site led to placing the building on its north-west corner leaving free space for courtyards and cultivation to the east and south. The house was developed on three levels, each one of which is expanded into the courtyard or semi-open spaces, thus securing independent access to different parts of the house.
In its external form the building demonstrates the virtues of the uncluttered geometrical volume and blends harmoniously with the surrounding environment. The shell of the residence is treated as a dynamic filter which converts the external climatic conditions to the levels desired for the indoors microclimate conserving energy and securing a comfortable temperature all year around.

Behind the plain, unadorned walls is a quite complex interior space with a variety of levels, interior balconies and a general sense of transparence. The direct access to the third level was designed in such a way as to let the view gradually unfold, supplying a principle of organization for the interior space. Economy characterizes the articulation of the whole interior space, determining every least dimension in accordance with the function each area is called on to play. Although the space is limited, the sense of confinement is dispelled by the angles of vision directed both within and outside the structure.

The habitable space can be expanded or contracted according to need. The minimum habitable area includes the southern place of the second level and the whole third level. This unified space with its interior balconies makes full use of the chimney effect, drawing warmth in winter from the close hearth fireplace. The remaining spaces act as filter between the habitable and external areas, limiting direct thermal exchange with the environment outside.

Architect: Lena Mantziou
Vacation house in mountainous Dorida, Greece

DISTINCTIONS
-The building won the "Antonis Tritsis" Reward in the Panhellenic Architectural Competition Ecological  Housing in 1999.
-Among the 10 buildings in Greece for energy calculation within the framework work of the European support programme measure 3.1.4. energy efficiency of passive systems in bioclimatic buildings, 1999 -2001.
-Distinction in the architectural awards 2000, EIA.
-Participation in the exhibition "The house in Greece, from the 20th to the 21st century", EIA