Location: Naxos island, Greece
Client: Hidden Hill Naxos
Design: 2017, completed 2019
Architects: gfra architecture
Design Team: Tasos Gousis, Joost Frijda, Eddie Roberts, Fotini Anagnostou, Markos Mazarakis-Ainian
Structural Engineer: Geocad – Nikolaos Mylonas
Mechanical Engineer: Manolis Kontopoulos
Construction: Aliberti projects
Photography: Panagiotis Voumvakis
In the area of Oskelos on the island of Naxos, on a mildly sloping plot with spectacular views to the west and the island of Paros, two independent summer residences are built. Access to them from the parking area is made through a common, intermediate, open route, linking the front and back courtyards, while also being their theoretical dividing line.
The building development is linear, forming a composition of smaller volumes. Following the slight slope of the natural ground, the independent volumes have distinct morphology and different levels with each other. At the same time their radial opening to the broad perspective of the sea view is emphasized by the corresponding arrangement of strong stone elements on the landscape. The height difference of these independent white cubes contributes to the familiar feeling of small scale that most Cycladic villages have, while at the same time highlighting their independence. The pergola of each volume follows this change in altitude, using a relatively closed form to actively enhance the entire composition of the project.
Functionally, each residence consists of a large open-space living room and kitchen with direct access to both the backyard, naturally protected by the wind, and the front outdoor space featuring lounge and kitchen areas near the pool. All bedrooms (two in one house and three in the other) are equipped with private bathrooms and verandas for each one, and are accessible through the back, gaining independence from the common living areas of the house.
gfra architecture
All images courtesy of gfra architecture| © Panagiotis Voumvakis
gfra architecture
The office gfra architecture was founded in 2004 by Tasos Gousis, Joost Frijda and Eddie Roberts as a result of many years of cooperation in previous associations where they participated with the major Greek projects of the previous decade, such as projects for the Olympic Games, the new Athens airport and the Acropolis Museum competition. Joost Frijda is Dutch and has received his degree from the Delft University of Technology, while both Tasos Gousis and Eddie Roberts, who has a Welsh background, are graduates from the NTUA (Athens Polytechnic), just as Fotini Anagnostou who becomes part of the team in 2007.
The multinational background of the team makes them search for new ideas and forms in architecture, to give a ‘European’ spirit to their design. This has been recognized by the numerous publications and participations in exhibitions such as the biennale of Young Greek Architects and the international Piranesi exhibition. At the same time they have a realistic approach and through close cooperation with the client and the consulting engineers, aim of the office is to maintain the quality of design and technology of architecture to a maximum.
The many specializations of the office include: housing, hotels, education, offices, cinema/theatre, retail, interior design, public urban/green spaces, re-use/restoration etc. Many projects are situated in the Athens region, but work is done all over Greece and abroad. Project responsibility includes both design and supervision, and can lead from the initial concept, through obtaining the building permit, to the possibility to organize the complete construction process.
CONTACT
gfra architecture
Komninon 37
114 73 Athens, Greece
T +30 210 6427972
F +30 210 6427203
E info@gfra.gr
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