TAN builds the residence in megara between mountain and plain
image © petros perakis
all images courtesy of tense architecture network
in between the megara plain and the gerania mountains, a triangular concrete structure designed by greek studio tense architecture network serves as a home lost amidst a sea of over 300 olive trees that takes cues from its landscape in an effort to become a more symbiotic part of its ecosystem. the premise of the design is straight forward, a triangular footprint that funnels views to the nearby mountains made of a concrete shell that folds, opens, and strategically conceals parts of the house. two courtyards, one at the southern entrance and one internal patio located between the bedrooms, afford plenty of natural light and ventilation to the interior spaces while helping to integrate the natural benefits of the environment into the home. a pitched green roof cultivating several native plant species adds to the flora of the area while at the same time provides an effective natural insulating membrane to the thermal mass. deep overhangs and operable glass walls ensure a climatically controlled interior environment that can open to become an extension of the exterior. the outer concrete partitions, while forming large openings extending views over the plain and mountains, are also used as protective barriers from the elements and to support privacy, which slender vertical openings controlling views without entirely neglecting natural light.
north facade
image © petros perakis
solid concrete wall controls views and direct sunlight
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
entry into a protected courtyard
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
large glass walls open to the exterior elements
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
view towards the main entry
image © petros perakis
kitchen and dining area- a custom fireplace mantel spans to become a dining table, terminating into the kitchen island
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
large overhanging eaves control direct sunlight
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
image © petros perakis
project info:
site area: 11.000 m2 groundfloor area: 200m2
construction: 2011-2014
project team: tilemachos andrianopoulos, kostas mavros, thanos bampanelos
collaborator: athanasios kontizas_structural engineering
photography: petros perakis
