kapsimalis architects adds a contemporary summer villa for hotel in santorini

greek architecture firm kapsimalis architects, completed the new addition, disguised as a summer villa, for the andronis hotels in the island of santorini. the 600 sqm building features a white, monolithic facade that blends into the vernacular architecture of the island, yet with minimalist design and orthogonal lines. the modern building matches the hotel and fits into the oia village where it is located. white walls and a garden full of olive trees comprises and signals the main entrance to villa’s upper level.

the vacation house by kapsimalis architects, integrates natural materials, textures and colors into a contemporary, clean space that enables guests to relax and enjoy the island. the villa’s three floors are connected by a central interior staircase, that unifies the first two levels visually through an internal patio. the ground floor is made up of a kitchen, a dinning area, the main living room and a master bedroom in a row, oriented to west and two other bedrooms in the other direction looking the south.

the communal space of the ground level can be completely opened by sliding doors that disappear inside the walls, transforming the main house into a yard. the bedrooms have also access to the yard and one of them directly to the exterior pool. the terrace of the wing that faces the south is used as exterior space of the upper level’s bedroom and is partly planted. on the second floor, the patio leads to the dining area, which is illuminated by a skylight on the ceiling of the villa. the upper floor contains a living space and a master bedroom with bathroom.

an elongated, shallow and protected pool leads from the interior space of the bedroom straight to the view of the cycladic sea. a large pool, a spot for sunbathing, an exterior dining area under a pergola made by wood and metal and gardens comprise the main yard of the villa that is connected with the upper level through an exterior staircase on the south side of the building.

the underground level consists of a small lounge area, a gym, a place for massage and retreats, and two bedrooms with included bathrooms. a slope with plants from the ground level to the basement, brings natural light inside. the design objective for the villa was to create a continuation of the rest of the hotel.

a synthesis of white volumes, as a contemporary translation of the traditional cubist architecture found in the villages of santorini, and a clear influence from modernism, shape the villa and the entire hotel. the arrangement of the white volumes and their orientation give variety in the perception of the space, visual fluidity horizontally and vertically and admit as much as natural light in the interior through skylights, patios and the sliding glass windows.

the color and material palette for the project is varied, yet cohesive, providing a comforting feel for the villa. the beige colored surfaces, brown rough concrete as a floor and light oak furnishings make up most of the villa. then there are off white and deep blue ceramic tiles, marble, brown colored semi-transparent glass, rattan or textured rugs and pieces of pottery, that kapsimalis architects aim to give a cozy and minimal sense of craft, an eclectic taste and a summer-y, comfortable atmosphere that conforms to life on the island.

project info:

design: kapsimalis architects

photography: yiorgos kordakis

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: cristina gomez | designboom