Three new facilities are planned for the cities of Thessaloniki, Komotini, and Sparta in Greece. The largest of the three in Thessaloniki will be a dedicated children’s hospital. Not only will these new hospitals bring much-needed modernization to underserved areas that have suffered economically since the country’s government debt crisis started in late 2009, they’ll also act as templates for state-of-the-art hospitals throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Developed as part of the international SNF Health Initiative, the hospitals will focus on equity, serenity, dignity, and comfort just as much as high-quality medical care.

This philosophy is rooted in three core values: the therapeutic power of nature, environmental sustainability, and medical excellence paired with holistic patient-centric care. That translates to spaces and practices that provide privacy, personalized care, direct connection to the outdoors, and room to grow so hospitals can avoid stagnancy by keeping up with changing needs and ideas. Piano’s designs are all similar in their appearance, featuring long rectangular buildings topped with overhanging flat roofs covered with solar panels. These visible structures host clinical centers, while other buildings tucked into the surrounding hillsides contain labs and other technical facilities.

When SNF first started researching this project, they spoke to the local communities where the hospitals are being built and asked them what they’d like to see included in the design. They asked for healing gardens, upper-floor patios, art on display, and recreation areas along with green campuses ringed with trees instead of massive parking lots. In fact, the landscape was designed specifically so that patients can see trees from the windows of their hospital rooms. Plentiful windows and skylights let natural light come pouring into all spaces, including intensive care units and operating rooms.

Healing gardens have become more common in medical settings in recent years, mostly for the benefit of patients. But doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff will also benefit from the ability to walk out into a lushly planted outdoor space to take much-needed breaks from the stress of their jobs. Family members waiting to hear news of a patient’s prognosis or to comfort them after a procedure can experience a sense of relief in these spaces, complete with areas for kids to play, as an alternative to dim, institutional lobbies.

“The basic idea in the tree projects is, to give shape to facilities, which are totally immersed in nature, in order to foster a quiet, relaxing environment for patients and their relatives, but also for doctors, nurses, and all staff,” says the Renzo Piano Building Workshop. “Nature has in fact a ‘therapeutic’ role in every patient’s rehabilitation process, as in the ancient Asklepeion.”

The post Renzo Piano Integrates Therapeutic Gardens into 3 New Hospitals in Greece first appeared on Dornob.

Now, a new trend is emerging that takes vintage to the next level. But instead of turning back the clock a mere 100-plus years, designers are getting in their proverbial time machines a la Bill and Ted to revisit the annals of history — a time where togas were the norm and Aristotle was still on the scene: Ancient Greece.

Whatever the reason for its newfound popularity, there’s no doubt that Ancient Greece-inspired decor is destined to become one of the hottest trends of the year. According to Pinterest’s 2022 Trend Report, searches for Hellenistic motifs are on the rise. From Corinthian columns to statue art and everything in between, people have found a renewed interest in getting their Greek on.

Looking to channel your own inner ancient? It’s surprisingly easy to add a splash of B.C. boldness to your space — no columns necessary. Below are some signature pieces that will have any home up to speed with the new trend faster than the time it takes to turn a sundial.

Bust a Move

When you think of ancient Greek decor, chances are you think of the ubiquitous bust. A standard ornament in ancient times, this traditional accessory is a great way to create a Hellenistic haven of your own. Snag this one from Anthropologie for just $24.

A Mediterranean Palette

Not committed to going fully Greek? Experiment by adding a splash of color to your space that echoes that bright, sun-washed feeling of the Greek islands. Start with a stark white backdrop for an eternally classic look, then work in some cerulean accents for a look that’s marvelously Mediterranean. Try these Cerulean Blue Curtains from Society6, available for $97.30.

Architectural Accents

Columns and arches were literal cornerstones of Greek architecture — but they’re not always the best choices for modern homes. Instead, opt for accents that evoke these elements. Think column-esque design motifs and classic accessories like urns. Grab this Pottery Barn Provence Planter for just $24.50

Pattern Power

A repeating motif seen throughout ancient Greece, the key pattern was commonly seen on everything from buildings to pottery. Still recognizable today, this gloriously Greek pattern perfectly evokes ancient vibes, even in a modern world. Buy this Velvet Pillow Cover with Greek Key Pattern on Etsy for $65.60.

Classical Concepts

Symmetry ruled the classical era. Today, it’s the perfect way to add a bit of classical flair to your home. Think balance, matching pieces, and an overall feeling of ordered symmetry. Try this set of 2 Greek Key Lamps from Target for $95.99.

Ancient Greece-inspired home decor is the latest in a series of nostalgia trip design trends. Try out a few of these tips in your home and bust out the Socrates, and you’ll be chilling with the ancients before you know it.

The post Ancient Greece-Inspired Decor is the Next Big Thing in Interior Design first appeared on Dornob.

Known for their bold use of hues and shapes, Point Supreme brought new life to the tired interior of the Trikoupi apartment, located in the center of Athens in one of the city’s many “polykatoikia,” or Greek multi-family units. With its three bedrooms, the space was roomy enough, but it lacked energy, texture, and color. Point Supreme brought plenty of all three.

The renovation began with gutting the living areas to produce a single open-plan flow. The team made the existing light shaft in the middle a focal feature by installing large windows on all four sides, welcoming in more daytime glow and fashioning a clear view across the space.

With this change, “an abundance of natural light and cross views through the whole depth of the apartment are revealed and create an unexpected sense of grand dimension. This is strengthened by the rich variety of materials and finishes applied that create different atmospheres,” the architects explain in their brief for the project.

Point Supreme was co-founded by Konstantinos Pantazis and Marianna Rentzo. Both designers began their architectural studies at the National Technical University Athens before parting ways, Pantazi heading to The Berlage Institute Rotterdam and Rentzo to Bartlett School of Architecture in London. After each taking different positions around the world, they reunited in Rotterdam to form their company in 2008 but have since returned to their roots in Athens. The pair’s work is multi-faceted, incorporating not only architecture, but urbanism, landscape, and research.

Their philosophy is guided by a quote on their website from French writer and poet André Breton: “Everything leads us to believe that there exists a certain point in the mind at which life and death, the real and the imaginary, the past and the future, the communicable and the incommunicable, the high and the low, construction and destruction, cease to be perceived in terms of contradiction. Surrealist activity, therefore, would be searched in vain for any other motive than the hope of determining this point.”

The exploration of those contradictions is evident in their use of contrast, pattern, and texture in the Trikoupi apartment. The petite kitchen’s cabinets are covered in light and dark shades of mauve, accented by a neutral marble top. The miniature taupe floor tiles in the kitchen offer a dichotomy of parquet and traditional pattern wood flooring.

Opposite the kitchen’s fire-engine red table is a wall of green-stained cabinets and shelves, bisecting a tucked-in bench and an extending teal sofa.

The entry is defined by a negative space timber screen and a shiny crimson floor rimmed with monochromatic triangles.

The bedroom is the most subdued room in the unit, with a wall of blond cabinets balancing the mass of the bed.

Cobalt blue storage lines the hallway leading to the bathroom, which is itself covered in a wave of mini square white tiles.

Point Supreme also crafted several custom pieces of furniture and built-ins around the home to accommodate seating, storage, and dining. The Trikoupi apartment is the most recent in a long list of projects from the firm known for pushing the envelope of aesthetic contradiction.

The post Point Supreme Uncovers Hidden Light in a Traditional Athens Apartment first appeared on Dornob.

In a word, NCaved is dramatic. Set into the hillside on Greece’s Serifos Island, partially disguised beneath a blanket of dirt and scrubby vegetation, the home looks like one of those cliffside concepts that are a little too wild to ever be built, imagined by architects but scorned by structural engineers. In this case, however, we’re not just looking at skillfully rendered digital spaces. Completed in 2020, this home is, in fact, the real deal.

The camouflaged effect isn’t (to this writer’s knowledge, at least) an effort to hide from international authorities. The choice is an entirely practical one, as following the contour of the hill protects the home from the brutal northern winds while preserving spectacular views of the ocean.

“We applied a rectangular grid to the slope to produce a three-dimensional ‘chessboard’ of solids and voids that accommodate and, at the same time, isolate the residence quarters,” the architects explain. “This strict geometry is discontinued with the rotation of the last axis of the grid, which provides the living area with ampler views. Shifting the axis intensifies the sense of perspective significantly, and thus the imprint of the residence appears minimized at the conceptual end of the ascent.”

“Longitudinal walls of dry stone outline and protect the interior and exterior spaces. They insist the vertical borders, which lead the visitor’s gaze to the horizon line. In contrast to the sturdy stone walls, the transverse facades are light, made of glass, and can open along their entire length. The front is fully open to the east view, while the rear windows frame indoor gardens, enhancing the air flow and letting light into the residence. Lighting and ventilation with front and rear openings, stone, a planted flat roof, suitable insulation, and energy-efficient glass panels add to NCaved’s excellent bioclimatic features.”

Inside, the home’s main functions are divided into three levels, with the bedrooms on the lowest floor, the living area on a mezzanine, and a private guest floor at the crest of the hill. A staircase connects all three levels externally, but only the first and second floors are connected inside. The architects describe the voids they’ve carved out of the hillside as “in caved,” thus the name of the project. They wanted the spaces to retain the rough feeling of natural cavities, which influenced their choices for interior materials and finishes.

With breezy terraces and all that sunshine, the house itself certainly doesn’t feel like a domain of evil. Taken as a whole, it’s actually pretty dynamic, peaceful, and beautiful. Still, somewhere out there, you can bet there’s a location scout drooling over these photos right now, imagining sweeping aerial shots of the exterior standing in for the lair of cinema’s latest unscrupulous criminal mastermind.

The post NCaved House: Mold Architects Embed Home into Greek Cliffside first appeared on Dornob.

It took an entire year to gut the five levels of the original 1930s brick and wood villa and complete the design for Hellas House. The construction took another five years. Chatzigiannis even laughed as he noted: “I spent the better part of my youth on it.”

Hellas is what Greeks call their homeland, which is why it was formerly known as the Hellenic Republic in English. Kontomichalos’ challenged Chatzigiannis to renovate the 5,380-square-foot villa so it would “scream Greek” without any brash or tasteless touches that often plague such projects. Chatzigiannis explains: “There is a stereotypical ‘Grecian’ style for this kind of project, one that can’t seem to escape the blue-and-white thing or laurel-wreath crowns or chitons. It can go over the top very easily.” He gladly welcomed his client’s refreshing challenge.

Kontomichalos wanted his main business ventures centered in Hellas House, including an import company dedicated to bringing the finest honey, wine, and olive oil from his homeland into Shanghai, a travel agency dedicated to unique and personalized adventures, and a store offering locals the best of imported Greek produce. His vision also included a space dedicated to showcasing social and corporate events, as well as other floors and rooms that would bring the best of Greece to the other few hundred Greek natives who call Shanghai home. Simply stated, Kontomichalos wanted Hellas House to represent, “the best Greece has to offer: history, culture, natural products, hospitality, and healthy lifestyle.”

The culmination of Chatzigiannis’ five-year project delivered exactly what Kontomichalos wanted. The travel agency, produce store, and import company were the easiest factions to create. The basement of Hellas House became a wine cellar for Greek wines. An open-air kitchen now occupies the ground floor, flanked by a gallery of artifact replicas representing the various eras of Greek culture. The adjacent lounge gives way to a garden, pool, and dining veranda, while a multi-purpose exhibition space occupies the mezzanine. Formal dining is offered on the second floor, which also includes a luxurious living room and terrace. An attic retreat is slipped in beneath the pitched roof and displays ceiling beams salvaged from the original structure.

To ensure Grecian authenticity all throughout Hellas House, Chatzigiannis chose to work with resources and color schemes from ancient times to complete the project. Bronze, marble, and wood are abundant in almost every room, as are basic hues of black, white, and gold. He also imported massive slabs of raw marble to Xiamen from the Aegean islands of Naxos and Thassos to construct the floors, walls, and columns.

Every era of ancient Greek history is represented throughout Hellas House. For example, the entrance hall represents the Bronze Age, with a life-size plaster cast replica of a female circa 2800–2300 BCE. Chatzigiannis complements the statue’s minimalist style with equally restrained custom elements: a graphic metal console in matte black, a simple geometric brass stair rail with a matte-gold finish, and a subtle white-on-white plaid-pattern floor of polished marble.

In addition, the chaises, stools, and chairs found throughout Hellas House are replicas of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, a renowned 20th-century designer celebrated for incorporating ancient Greek furniture standards into modern creations. Chatzigiannis painstakingly found the small number of elderly Athenian craftsmen who still create Robsjohn-Gibbings’ signature curved-wood furniture to ensure he could bring it into the home.

The journey to completing Hellas House was long and tedious, but both Chatzigiannis and Kontomichalos happily agree that it was a big success.

Photos courtesy of InteriorDesign.com

The post Ancient Greek Architecture Graces Shanghai’s New Hellas House first appeared on Dornob.

In terms of the timeline of human civilization, Classical Greece (which existed between the 5th and 4th centuries B.C.E.) was a long time ago. In terms of Earth’s overall history, hardly a moment has passed. A new series from artist Zachary Eastwood-Bloom bridges the gap between the ancient and the contemporary by mixing Greek statuary with the look of computer glitches.

A graduate of the Royal College of Art and the current artist in residence at the Scottish Ballet, the Glasgow-based sculpture and multimedia artist found a way to combine the hands-on practice of working with clay with a slew of digital tools. He says these new means of making art allow us to make anything we can imagine, “barring some inherent earthly restrictions like gravity.”

His use of them here adds an extra layer of fascination to the sculptures, which are still recognizable to the keen eye of an art fan or historian. The way in which the forms are warped almost makes it seem like they’re being sucked into another dimension.

Most of the silhouettes are exaggerated, pinched, pulled, stretched, and squiggled. Others are faceted, fragmented, or rendered as plotted pen drawings. Almost all of them are made of classical materials like white marble and bronze, though a few consist of less conventional media like borax crystals and sterling silver.

“I reference historical works quite frequently, but it is with the eye of a 21st-century translator,” Eastwood-Bloom tells ChromArt in an interview. “I think that what I make referring to these works is just another stop on the journey for the original pieces. ‘The Assimilation’ which is based on ‘The Laocoön and His Sons’ has been reproduced and translated numerous times throughout history — my interpretation is one more stop along its journey through time.”

“I find it fascinating how people think. I think through making sculpture; through three-dimensional form, material, shape, and surface. Other people think through numbers, words, sounds, movement, digital code, etcetera. I am interested in working with people who think via different modes to me. One thing that is interesting in the digital age is that a lot of people work using digital technology now. This means that their digital information can be changed into different mediums; words can become sound, sound can become form for example.”

During his time with the Scottish Ballet, Eastwood-Bloom has experimented with performance as well, with some of these pieces very much in keeping with the overall classical theme, like “The Three Graces.”

You can keep up with Zachary Eastwood-Bloom’s work at ZacharyEastwood-Bloom.com or on Instagram. He’s also a founding member of Studio Manifold, “a group of artists and designers brought together by a shared enjoyment of material and process based in East London.”

The post Glitched Greek God Statues Bring Ancient Figures Into the Digital Age first appeared on Dornob.

In the midst of all this media madness, Athens, Greece-based artist Virginia Axioti started handpainting some of these billboards — that’s right, no digitization required — to hang over the entrance of Athens’ Athinaion cinema, one of the oldest theaters in the capital city.

Marvelous Moment

Her most recent work dazzled moviegoers as they lined up for the premier of Avengers: Endgame: the zenith of a 22-film dynasty introduced by Disney’s Marvel Studios more than a dozen years ago. Painting the film’s main cast of heroes posed in character-defining stances was no easy task for Axioti, whose previous paintings generally featured only one or a few characters. Although she still prefers painting simpler depictions, her portrayal of the Marvel film stopped many movie fans dead in their tracks, allowing them to appreciate a work of classic art, often forgotten in the mix of green screen and other digital wizardry, if only for a moment.

Family Ties

The 970-seat Athinaion theater was founded in 1960 by Axioti’s grandfather and great uncle, who wisely chose to build on a bustling intersection in the city’s Ampelokipoi district. Axioti is now co-owner of the theater, and it’s the only one in Athens that still displays handpainted billboards.

The handpainted billboards have been part of the theater’s appeal since day one, when they were mostly painted by Vasilis Dimitriou, a former boxer who, at 83 years old, still works with Axioti to make signs for the Athinaion. His artistic style is more comparable to contemporary graphic novels but every bit mesmerizing as Axioti’s.

More About Axioti

Virginia Axioti, 41, is a fine arts graduate who paints in a wide range of styles. She’s also a talented singer and musician, though creating billboard art does take up most of her time. She generally spends four to five days painting each unique poster, averaging around 20 or 25 a year.

Beyond the creative challenges behind each piece, the billboards are also a bit of a physical test for Axioti, since she has a diminutive frame and each billboard painting averages a little larger than 20 by seven feet. Her first billboard was painted in 1979 for Mad Max. Her subsequent billboards have paid tribute to all kinds of movies over the years, including Neon Demon, Sully, Batman vs. Superman, Glass, Mary Poppins Returns, Darkest Hour, Dumbo, Alice, T2 Trainspotting, Cold Pursuit, The Wife, Killing On Wheels, Aquaman, Rogue I: A Star Wars Story, First Man, the latest version of A Star Is Born, BlackkKlansman, Johnny English Strikes Again, The Crimes Of Grindelwald, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, SOLO: A Star Wars Story, A Quiet Place, Lady Bird, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Goodtime, Thor: Ragnorak, Bladerunner 2049, Victoria & Abdul, Dead Men, and Dunkirk.

The post Greek Artist Turns Movie Posters Into Breathtaking Paintings first appeared on Dornob.

Built environments are what they are: created by and typically for humans, occupying everything from ancient city blocks to pristine remote beaches. In the latter case, you’re likely not going to fool any passersby into believing the land is still untouched, no matter what you do — but you can at least aim for a sense of harmony with the setting. For a stunning plot of land on the windy Greek island of Karpathos overlooking Afiarti Beach, OOAK Architects hoped to honor the landscape with a design that’s not quite natural, but almost feels like it could be.

“The sparse, untamed, and dramatic landscape was the starting point for the design,” they explain. “Every man-made alteration would be visible in this unique lot with its jagged, textured cliffs that descend into the grand Aegean Sea. The question became how to introduce a foreign object — a house — into this spectacular landscape, enhancing its qualities without altering its character.”

“Rather than trying to mimic the landscape, the house is gently placed on the site as an object, leaving the surrounding landscape as untouched as possible. Landscape and building are perceived as two distinct elements that together create a new entity — much in the way a perfect shell merges with a rock over time and gradually becomes part of the rock formation. Two contrasting objects, living in symbiosis, enhancing and complementing each other.”

“Patio House” makes use of two natural plateaus on the site, cantilevering the home out from the higher one and placing an outdoor lounge area down below, with steps leading all the way down to the sand. The rectilinear concrete volume juts out to greet the sea, enhancing views from inside to take full advantage of the spectacular location. From below, it almost seems to be floating, its outer facade looking almost like an empty envelope thanks to its indoor/outdoor voids creating courtyards open to the air and sun.

Whether the effect was intentional or not, this design choice almost reads like a modern version of Greek ruins, wherein only a few walls and pillars remain, the interiors having long since fallen. The home is also strikingly simple in its design and materials, with the entirety of its interior and exterior spaces focused on the natural beauty outside. Still, it has a quiet elegance that’s entirely its own. Made of exposed, cast in-situ reinforced concrete, the building is supported by trusses and features lots of windows, operable glazing, and signature Karpathian white paint.

For another example of a beautiful compromise between nature and the built environment, check out a Hampton Bay getaway that blends into its scenery with the help of a grassy green roof.

The post Floating Concrete: A Breezy Cantilevered Cliffside House in Greece first appeared on Dornob.

Perhaps it doesn’t help that most of us see recycling as something that happens in a faraway facility, out of our own view and participation. Could interactive initiatives that call for public input and put the recycling process on display spark enthusiasm and make people feel like they had a more personal stake in the circular economy?

That’s what Dutch creative collective The New Raw hopes will happen as a result of their “Print Your City!” project, which uses large-scale 3D printing to turn plastic waste into public furniture that everyone can use. The initiative invites citizens to contribute their own plastic waste, design their own custom street furniture, and participate in the process of bringing it to life. There’s something to be said about the satisfaction of watching your own creation take shape, especially when you’re benefiting the environment at the same time.

Previously, Print Your City! rallied the residents of Amsterdam to transform their raw materials into a recycled plastic bench called the XXX. The designers came up with the shape of the unusual piece, which seats two people facing opposite directions and allows them to rock back and forth. The rugged plastic used to create XXX makes it exceptionally durable, which is perfect for its outdoor setting. Now, The collective has reconvened in Thessaloniki, Greece to collaborate with Coca-Cola’s “Zero Waste Furniture” program, taking their XXX concept to the next level.

Since citizens of Thessaloniki can now actively design furniture that they’ll ultimately be able to use themselves, they’ve become very invested in the project. Thousands of people have already donated waste and submitted designs for things like multifunctional urban benches with built-in bike racks, planters, dog feeding bowls, and bookcases, all featuring metal tags that indicate how many kilograms of plastic went into them.

The 3D printing process allows each creation to take on a comfortable ergonomic shape. Last summer, prototypes were placed in Nea Paralia (Thessaloniki’s waterfront promenade) for public use. Throughout the first quarter of 2019, citizen-submitted designs will debut at Hanth Park in the city center.

“The throw-away lifestyle of contemporary cities has increased the demand for single-use plastic packaging and plastic waste,” says The New Raw. “In Amsterdam alone, residents generate an average 23 kg of plastic waste per person annually (2015), enough to 3D print one bench for every two Amsterdammers each year!”

“The technology of 3D printing enables closing the material loop of plastic with a short recycling path and a zero-waste production process. Furthermore, it can combine modular repair and mass customization, making a more circular city feasible with more engaged citizens and less [carbon dioxide] emissions.”

Print Your City! is a pretty cool way to demonstrate the direct impact of recycling. In the future, when 3D printers are more widely available, people might even be motivated to clean up as much freely available plastic waste as they can find to create new objects to use and sell.

The post The Print Your City! Project Turns Plastic Waste into Furniture first appeared on Dornob.

The existing building, which measures about 3,229 square feet and takes up almost all of its lot, resembles most of the other 1970s and 1980s-era structures surrounding it. It’s simple, highly rectilinear in shape, and lightly colored to avoid absorbing too much heat. There’s nothing particularly architecturally distinct about it. The clients commissioned 314 Architecture to redevelop all four levels of the rental, including a small walled-in garden on the ground floor, the two middle floors, and a penthouse master suite on the rooftop.

The architects call their vision for the renovation “H102 Romance Contemporaine,” or “contemporary romance,” an aesthetic that’s immediately identifiable thanks to the billowing curtains shielding the top floor from view and the sultry shadows that can be discerned from behind the translucent panels of the new facade. The existing building features wraparound balconies on the two uppermost levels, which the architects transformed into solariums contained by the same sheer walls.

“The romantic character is even more emphasized through the continuous curved engravings, which are depicted as an imprint of light and shadow on the blurry translucent facades,” say the architects.

Now, lush tropical plants flourish on those balconies, bringing some much-needed vitality into the interiors while screening some of the sunlight and improving the air quality. New arc-shaped openings in the exterior walls provide both visual and functional access to those same balconies, enlarging the amount of usable space. Inside, the rooms are bright, white, and open: the architects removed many of the dividing interior walls to encourage a sense of free-flowing movement. They also pierced through the ceilings of each level to create new atria, with a sliding ceiling at the top that regulates the circulation of warm air inside by allowing it to escape in the summertime and holding it in during the colder months.

The top level is where the project really shines, both literally and figuratively. A small rooftop volume gives the inhabitants beautiful views of the sandy hills surrounding the city, but it feels a little overexposed to both the unforgiving sun and the gaze of neighbors. The solution is a weatherproof metallic curtain that can be drawn around the entire space while keeping it open to the sky, giving it the feel of a private sanctuary.

Like “House in Corfu,” which transformed a bland building with spectacular views of the Ionio Pelagos, “H102 Romance Contemporaine” uses transitional indoor/outdoor spaces to create a dialogue with its surroundings and make the most of a warm, temperate climate. Free of fussy details, it puts the focus on modern Greek lifestyles, adding comfort and functionality while preserving the existing building as a natural fit in its Athenian setting.

The post Lush and Luminous: Greek Apartment Building Reinvigorated by a New Translucent Facade first appeared on Dornob.

Architecture studio 314’s proposal for a residential renovation in Corfu may be as modern as they come, but it retains that distinctly “Greek” feeling thanks to its traditional color palette and rounded arches. Rising above the treetops of an olive grove at the edge of a cliff, the villa is infused with all the drama we’ve come to expect from the Hellenic Republic.

While many cliffside homes are designed to blend into their surrounding environments, seeming more like an extension of the landscape than an artificial construction, 314 went in a bolder direction with this summer residence, which catches the sunlight by day and glows from within by night.

“House in Corfu” takes full advantage of the setting, which offers panoramic views of the Ionio Pelagos. It elevates and offsets its main volumes in a stepped arrangement to create a series of porticos and terraces that look out onto the sea. 314’s design would replace an existing structure in the same location on a 64,500-square-foot plot, the home itself measuring just over 3,200 square feet. The architects aim to stick to the same footprint to avoid disturbing the nature that makes the site so special.

Updating Corfu’s architectural vernacular for the 21st century is the studio’s main concern, and the highlight of their design is undoubtedly its incorporation of repetitive arches, as well as some openings in the roofs that allow full-sized trees to flourish. The flat, wide terraces formed by the home’s layout allow residents to take in extraordinarily clear views of the sky, which have earned the property the nickname of “The Midnight Stars.”

Roughly half of the ground floor is open to the air, providing transitional indoor/outdoor spaces that lead from common areas like the living room and kitchen out to the infinity edge swimming pool. Inside, an abundance of mirrored surfaces adds to the reflective qualities of the house’s white paint and textiles, multiplying the views of the surrounding nature.

The upper level contains master and guest bedrooms, private areas which feel a little more cloistered and protected than the house’s common ones. The bedrooms enjoy the best views of the sunset every evening. Though it appears to cantilever off the side of the level beneath it, this upper floor is actually set into a grassy hillside, which might explain all of the mountain goats wandering through the renderings.

The architects explain that they used white cement plaster on the floors and walls to mimic the look of ancient stone and that the patio and swimming pool will be made from uncoated concrete. The curving ceilings, also evocative of traditional Greek architecture, come together in “intersections of domes and arches” for a soft and welcoming effect. There are no harsh contrasts or unnecessary details in this design that would detract from the home’s dramatic silhouette.

The post Modern Greece: Summer Villa in Corfu Updates Ancient Style with Minimalist Flair first appeared on Dornob.

A seventeenth-century home on the island of Nisyros in Greece retains its sense of history in this beautiful renovation by Greg Haji Joannides, integrating built-in furniture and smooth, glossy surfaces with the pre-existing rock for a seamless blend of past and present. The Sterna Residence is among a number of structures located within the medieval castle complex of Pantoniki in Emporeios on the ridge of the island, overlooking the Aegean Sea.

The entire castle collapsed in a devastating earthquake in 1933 and was painstakingly rebuilt based on a survey of photographic archives, as well as a few structural features found during excavation, recovering the authenticity of the building’s original architecture.

The renovation adds modern infrastructure to the two-level home, which features two spacious bedrooms with private balconies and is available for vacation rentals. A large outdoor living space, including a rooftop lounge area with sun beds, looks out onto the landscape.

The tradition of painting houses white to reflect the harsh sunlight in summer might be a centuries-old tradition in the Cycladic islands, but it still looks fresh and modern, giving these interiors an airy, wide-open feel.

About the architect:

“Greg Haji Joannides (b. 1980, Athens) he lives and works in Nisyros, Greece. He is the founder and creative director of Sterna Art Project (est. 2014), an art residency and exhibition program running on the island since 2014. He has been working on the human body and the deconstruction of it since 2010 as a continuous research. He studied BA in London and Athens. Initially a self-taught photographer, he developed his artistic voice through the guidance of photographer Panos Kokkinias. His series “Light reaction” first appeared in Lille3000 Art Fair (Lille, 2012) as well as, at Palais de Tokyo (Paris, 2014). “Transparentia” solo show was presented at the Project Space of six d.o.g.s (Athens, 2014). His series “Feel it in” is included in UNLOCKED book published by ATOPOS cvc (2015). “Light & Sound reaction”, video and sound installation development process was presented as a performance at ATOPOS cvc (Athens, 2016). He has collaborated with choreographer Dimitris Papaioannou in Primal Matter (Athens, 2012 & 2013) and Still Life (Athens, 2014) performances. He is co-founder and creative director of activist platform NISYRIO that is about recycling plastic in Nisyros through sociocultural activities.”

The post Grecian Getaway: Historic House Renovation Preserves Character first appeared on Dornob.

On the historic Greek Tinos Island, a traditional stone stable was transformed into a stunning holiday home. Architect Ioannis Exarchou addressed the project by retaining the original structure and plastering the interior walls. With a new colored concrete floor and the addition of some basic home elements, the former stable gained a glorious new life.

The home’s dark stone exterior melts into its surroundings and gives it the outward appearance of a cave. The architect’s goal was to preserve this rough, natural look while providing two residents with a comfortable summer home – all at a minimal cost. To this end, the home is austere but cozy, allowing for the leisurely enjoyment of the breathtaking surroundings.

The home consists of two oblong spaces which enclose the third to create the courtyard. In every space you will find local, natural materials. The architect’s goal was to retain the building’s historic, low-tech, eco-friendly profile. Although the home does feature electric lighting and a small indoor bathroom, a wood-burning stove is about as high-tech as this home’s elements get.

The home’s entrance just beyond the courtyard is a welcoming little chamber with wooden storage cupboards and built-in hooks for hanging coats and bags. The entryway quickly transitions into stairs which lead down to the combined living and sleeping area.

The bedroom/living room is outfitted with a large mattress and topped by fat tree branches set into the home’s plaster ceiling. A small window at the foot of the bed gives a charming view of the exterior courtyard.

Again using concrete as the building material, the architect sculpted a long countertop containing a sink for food preparation. Modern light wood is used for more storage beneath the countertop. Along the opposite wall, a long wooden table and low seats make up the home’s dining area. In all, the Tinos vacation home would be far too small and primitive for those accustomed to staying in posh resorts, but it seems like the absolute perfect place to enjoy one of Earth’s most beautiful and history-rich islands.

The post Historic Greek Stable Gets a New Life as a Vacation Home first appeared on Dornob.

Is there water on that rooftop, or is it just a mirage? It’s hard to tell until you approach this hidden home, nestled into the hills of Tinos Island in Greece’s Cyclades archipelago. Athens-based Kois Associated Architects created an infinity pool on the flat, cantilevered rooftop of the appropriately named ‘Mirage House’ that seems to blend into the adjacent Aegean Sea.

From ground level, that sparkling water is the only part of the house that’s visible to onlookers, and it’s difficult to tell where it ends and the sea begins. Kois Associated Architects envisioned the home as “an invisible oasis” with all of the interior spaces tucked into the rocks to create a cavernous feel.

To grant their clients’ wish for a home that was virtually undetectable and as private as possible, the firm decided to mimic elements of the landscape. The visible parts of the home fronting the sea are made of dry stone, echoing both the natural rocks of the cliffs and the vernacular architecture and infrastructure of the island.

The single-level structure features rammed earth walls in the rear of the home. This ancient building technique produces walls that are strong, durable and noncombustible, naturally balancing the temperature and humidity levels with their thermal mass and breathability.

“Our goal was to integrate the building into the landscape like it was part of it. The living space is covered by a rimless pool that produces a visual effect of water extending to the horizon, vanishing and merging with the seascape. From a distance especially if viewed from the path of approach, on a higher ground, the only visible feature of the house is the water of the pool. The water during the day reflects the surrounding rock formations and during the night the star filled night sky. Most of the visible construction materials were found in the vicinity and were used to make the house ‘disappear’ into the scenery.”

“Local techniques were also borrowed like the characteristic dry wall construction found in abundance in the island. This technique was implemented with minor modifications; on the side embankment walls in each side of the pool volume. The local materials have a low impact on the environment while also being very efficient as insulating materials. The rear walls are made of retained earth that regulates the temperature. The pool which acts as a roof provides insulation and protection from solar radiation and heat transmittance.”

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A former industrial building in Greece has been transformed into a modern apartment complex catering mostly to young adults. The apartments have been designed by IF_Untitled Architecture with a modern aesthetic that hearkens back to the area’s industrial roots.

The focal point of the apartment is a wall-to-wall shelving unit that accommodates books, household objects, and even humans. People-sized cutouts in the shelving unit create unobtrusive furniture that saves space while providing a unique and eye-catching resting area.

The public areas of the home are composed mainly of concrete, stainless steel, light wood and muted colors. The open floor plan is a reference to the building’s history as a factory, maintaining the high ceilings and exposed ductwork.

The small galley-style kitchen is bordered on one side by a counter bar. A separate dining area occupies the floor space beyond the counter; transparent chairs are balanced by a heavy-looking wooden table.

In keeping with the starkly industrial feel of the apartment, the bedroom is entirely white. Bright white storage units line one side of the room. A small white vanity table is topped with a huge square mirror that reflects the white walls and bright lights of the room.

The main bathroom and guest bathroom are, by contrast, slightly warmer in their appearance. Softer lighting and tiny hints of neutral colors make the rooms feel inviting without detracting from the overall industrial appeal of the home.

The post Former Industrial Building Features Built-In Bookcase Seats first appeared on Dornob.

A monolithic house in Kifissia, Greece soars toward the sky while maintaining its bonds with the Earth, making the residence seem a bit like a child’s balloon tethered to its owners wrist. Designed by Tense Architecture Network, the home was defined by its very small, vegetation-filled lot.

The architects decided that the clearing should be left as it was and the plants should define the border of the yard. A central column supports a large volume which seems to hover far above the ground. The column also acts as the entrance to the home, which is decked out in minimalist concrete and neutral colors.

Further integrating the home into its surroundings, ropes create a net on which plants are encouraged to grow. As they grow taller, they will create a natural green screen that surrounds the home in the comfort of nature. Eventually, the home will be all but indistinguishable from the plant life which already existed on the lot.

Special care was taken to ensure that, while natural light is able to get in, the light is not so bright as to destroy the feeling of intimacy and comfort gained by dim lighting. Sliding panels let in the daylight when desired, connecting the inside of the home to the outdoor greenery.

“The shell remains intact towards the main façade. The public image of the residence will eventually recede behind the plants and the house will claim the whole field. The vigorously detached prism lets the sun enter and functions as a shelter: living space lies beneath. When the sliding panels retreat, the merging with the garden is complete.”

“The space that the elevated prism creates is the main compositional gesture. The manner that this gesture is performed is crucial:  it is the manner through which the hovering prism is supported by the central column. A calm tension is realized, a simple yet clear correlation of forces. The synergy between structural and architectural design gives a residence where the shell is not more important than its field. Those are juxta-posed: one to one.”

The post Concrete Home Seems to Float first appeared on Dornob.