studio 314 refurbish summer house in corfu embracing local architecture

314’s refurbishment proposal of a summer house is set on a western cliff of corfu island in greece, covered in olive trees and surrounded by sea. the house is located on the edge of a cliff, like a lighthouse having a spectacular panoramic view of the ionion pelagos. the remote location of the house provides tranquillity and due to the absence of artificial light at night, the area provides a tremendous view of the stars. this is why the property is called ‘the midnight stars’.

the house is located on a cliff in corfu island

greek based 314 architecture studio‘s main goal for this refurbishment project is to propose a new design embracing corfu’s vernacular architecture, interpreted by a more contemporary design language. the arch is the main component for 314’s design. due to the decomposition of the traditional typology and the rate of repetition of the arch element, the design team has created a minimal contemporary form. the house is a 300 m2 building located in a site expanding to 6,000 m2 total area. 314 has tried to stay on these circumstances without affecting any of the natural environment.

the arch is the main component for studio 314’s design

the main entrance located in the ground floor of the house leads to an open space surrounded by a series of arches, making it an extrovert area with a monolithic composition. the living room along with the kitchen and dining room are located in this part of the summer house. the existing columns are cladded with mirrored panels in a triangular form. the original volume of the pillars are thus decomposed rendering it light weight and transparent as it also reflects the view and the surrounding landscape.

the summer house in corfu seen from afar

studio 314 has used natural materials as white cement plastered floors and walls, in a pattern that reminds of a ruined stone wall. outside the house the patio and the swimming pool are made by uncoated concrete. facing the swimming pool, there is the master bedroom and a guest room. the interior of the house has been designed with curved ceilings and in this way the intersections of domes and arches have created this contemporary design. leading to the upper level, the studio has designed a more closed volume which allows the resting area to have their privacy, but always keeping in mind the orientation for the appreciation of the breath-taking views from the bedrooms towards the sunset.

the building is set on a steep region covered in olive trees and surrounded by sea

the upper terrace has breath-taking views towards the sunset

the master bedroom and a guest room are facing the swimming pool terrace

the living room along with the kitchen and dining room are located on ground floor

314 has used natural materials as white cement plastered floors and walls, reminding of a ruined stone wall

the upper hall has a more closed volume which allows the resting area to have their privacy

interior view of one of the bedrooms

the intersection of domes and arches have created a contemporary design

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: apostolos costarangos | designboom