rhoēs villa by sinas architects rises like water ripples on serifos island

sinas architects unveils Rhoēs villa concept in greece

Greek studio Sinas Architects envisions Rhoēs as a stone-clad villa complex integrated into the rugged, dramatic landscape on the outskirts of Serifos island in Greece. Combining a 300 sqm house and a 90 swm guesthouse, the subterranean structure is seemingly carved out from steep slopes and wild thorny bushes, maintaining a subtle presence while maximizing sea views. The area around and above the house remaining virtually untouched and preserving its original form; only the main facade and air and light slits are visible at the back for optimal ventilation and natural illumination.

renderings © Studio Taf

a subterranean house with undulating stonework designs

To achieve this integration, the team at Sinas Architects performed a precise incision in the ground, creating a straight-line cut where the ceiling of Rhoēs ends and transforms into an outdoor canopy with a thin edge. Beneath this canopy, the stone masonry facade—constructed mainly from excavated materials—blends the building with the Cycladic landscape, giving it a traditional, rugged charm. The undulating stonework, reminiscent of a fluttering cloth or ribbon, adds a sense of lightness and creates intriguing shadows and niches for the veranda.

Rhoēs villa by Sinas Architects integrates into Serifos Island’s rugged landscape

harmonizing with the cycladic charm of serifos islands

The veranda, meanwhile, with its circular pool in the middle, mimics the effect of a water droplet creating ripples, adding a playful touch to the coastal setting. Extending beyond the building, the stone facade merges with the dry-stone walls at the plot’s edge. These walls, typical in rural parts of the Cycladic islands and traditionally used as divisions between plots of land, reinforce the villa’s connection with its surroundings. ‘Rhoēs epitomizes understated sophistication, combining Cycladic charm with modern elegance to create a tranquil, harmonious retreat that respects its natural environment,’ conclude the architects.

the veranda includes a circular pool in the middle