kapsimalis sets two brutalist holiday houses on the edge of santorini's cliffs

located on the top of the volcanic caldera cliffs, santorini, greece, the two holiday houses design by kapsimalis architects face a dreamlike view northwest to the sea and the volcano. each consisting of a living room, a dining area, a kitchen and a bedroom with a bathroom, the residences feature a linear swimming pool laying along the edge of the rock.

the clean-cut artificial structure, that is placed on the natural terrain, opposes to the plasticity and randomness of the volcanic landscape, however, it interacts dynamically with the surroundings.

the southeastern part of kapsimalis‘ villas incorporates the entrance — between two geometric walls — to a common patio, which leads to the two entrances of the houses. the ground floor and the basement are linked by external and internal staircases.

the heart of the two residences is the inner patio, serving as a meeting and communication place and a continuity of the interior. the main axis of movement passes through the patio and links the entrance in the back of the plot with the interior space of the houses, ending up to the volcano view.

the brutalist presence of the building in its landscape is strengthened by the selection of its materials — fair-faced concrete, industrial cement on the floors and dark grey wooden frames in the openings complete the material palette. mediterranean planting is combined with wild bushes, existing in the dry volcanic landscape.

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edited by: maria erman | designboom