Bioclimatic subterranean residence in Paros

The project is located in Isterni, a small, quiet region on the northeast side of Paros Island in Greece. Placed on a sloping plot this summer residence is encapsulated inside the terrain, creating a continuous scenery into the existing landscape. The barren environment with Mediterranean vegetation seems to be intact, concealing the 430 sq. m. structure of the house. The sole signs revealing the existence of the building are the south façade, the slits on the ground and the entrances.
There are two entrances to the house through the existing municipal road, one at the highest point of the plot on the northwest side and one at the lowest point on the southwest side. From the first one, the visitor descends, through a designed pathway leading to the main entrance of the building, whereas on the second one the visitor moves along a single contour reaching the outdoor area of the house. Passing through the main gate, the corridor leads to the living areas of the house such as the living room, the dining area and the kitchen. The personal spaces, three master bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, are connected with the rest of the house through a second semi- private lounge area. An extra bedroom with independent entrance from the first corridor, may be used for staff or guests’ accommodation.
All the spaces are aligned to the single, south façade of the building, providing framed panoramic views to the Aegean Sea and the neighboring island of Naxos. It is divided, by thick walls, into four slightly angled sections, to grant privacy in each space. Right outside the bedrooms, living room and kitchen area there is a deck for outdoor relaxation areas.
Prominent features throughout the residence are the indoor atriums, aligned to the living spaces. These areas are planted, to integrate natural elements to the interior, along with the indoor swimming pool. The elongated slits on the ground provide optimum cross-ventilation and lighting, through the atriums, to the house.
Beyond the panoramic view, the orientation offers protection from the seasonal, strong, north winds, called meltemia. The wooden pergolas, placed alongside the south façade, filter direct sunlight to the interior and provide shade to the outdoor deck, to create comfortable living conditions during the summer. Apart from the decked area, the landscape was left intact, to minimize the traces of built elements to it.
The main concern during the designing process was to create a structure completely integrated to the landscape, utilizing bioclimatic tools to produce a sustainable design. The underground design benefits from geothermal mass and heat exchange, retaining coolness during summer and heat during winter. As a result, a microclimate is formed within the structure. The selected materials, concrete, stone and timber, are in earth tones, to further achieve integration to the landscape. The intention was to create playful interactions between natural and built elements, open and closed spaces, private and common spaces, shadow and light, combined into a functional layout.