react architects inserts maison kamari into the arid greek landscape
(above) general view – on the foothill
all images by damien de medeiros / courtesy of react architects

 

 

 

founded in 1997 by natasha deliyianni and yiorgos spiridonos, react architects is an office of architectural studies that aims at a theoretical approach to the discipline through a research oriented procedure. located in the settlement of kamari on the island of paros, greece, the ‘maison kamari’ has a west orientation on the long side, facing the sea and antiparos. composed of different housing volumes, each one is lined up clearly to the view, creating a courtyard attached to the slope on the south side.

react architects inserts maison kamari into the arid greek landscape
west south facade – blending with the landscape

 

 

 

a wide staircase connects the outdoor sitting with the water element. on the rooftop, a lounge area is formed with panoramic views of the mountains and the sea extending the outdoor space on the roof of the house. the staircase leading to it, constitutes an integral design element. the large volume of the single building breaks down into smaller ones, directly adapted to the terrain. in this way, the adjustment of the structure into the landscape is smooth and the volume of the housing is as small as possible.

react architects inserts maison kamari into the arid greek landscape
the house sits on an existing plateau

 

 

 

the house is positioned along an existing plateau, with great emphasis given to the roofs, as the housing is adapted to the natural environment. the design of the openings is associated with the architectural style of the building. the element of repetition and standardization of openings dominates the design leaving the white volumes almost intact. courtyards are formed adjacent to the living room, in dependence on the natural slope. the roofed pergola courtyard is protected from the northern winds in direct relation to the living room and pool.

react architects inserts maison kamari into the arid greek landscape
view from the hill

 

 

 

the interior, created in collaboration with the owners, a couple of professionals in the field of cinema, construction materials dominate the design, such as exposed concrete ceilings and industrial flooring, as well as wood finished in white color as a continuation of the walls. the furnishing and décor were selected so to leave the shell intact, highlighting the selected pieces. vintage objects but also designer pieces from greece and abroad were chosen, in order to create an aesthetically connection between architecture and design. the transformation of the morphological elements of the cycladic architecture using a modern architectural language were, together with the integration into the natural landscape, the guiding design principles of this project.

react architects inserts maison kamari into the arid greek landscape
main terrace with the stairs leading to the swimming pool

react architects inserts maison kamari into the arid greek landscape
view to the surroundings – main courtyard

react architects inserts maison kamari into the arid greek landscape
stairs leading to the rooftop lounge

react architects inserts maison kamari into the arid greek landscape
rooftop lounge with a view

react architects inserts maison kamari into the arid greek landscape
detail – pergola next to the pool

react architects inserts maison kamari into the arid greek landscape
detail – corridor windows 

react architects inserts maison kamari into the arid greek landscape
detail – living room 

react architects inserts maison kamari into the arid greek landscape
living room

 

 

project information:

 

project name: maison kamari
architectural design and supervision: react architects – natasha deliyianni , yiorgos spiridonos
civil engineer: christos smyrnis
mechanical engineer: nikos chrystofyllakis
photos: damien de medeiros
3D visualization: dafni retzipi, architecture student
architecture study: 2014
construction: 2015
lot area: 4.000,00 μ2
building area: 180,00 μ2

 

 

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: juliana neira | designboom