House in Stamata

The natural environment and the existence of greenery are undoubtedly considered great assets for a property, to the point that architecture may even play a secondary role.
This house is located in a pine-covered area of Attica. Determining factors for the position of the building on the property were the microclimate and the abundance of pine trees.
Because the street is located on the highest end of the slope of the site, we chose to position the building on one side of the property. This way, we created a passage that unites all the exterior spaces and establishes a connection with the street.
On the lowest level, the house is split in two, with a 3,00m wide portico that stretches from one side to the other and gives easy access to both sides of the garden. This fundamental architectural element of the house separates the guest house from the utility areas of the building. On the upper level, a different kind of separation creates autonomous spaces as well. An internal bridge around an interior balcony overlooks the living room below and isolates the children’s rooms from the parents’ suite.
We preferred to situate the parking garage on the main facade of the ground floor –at street level- reminiscent of Broadacre City by Frank Lloyd Wright. Unobstructed access to the garage was important to the client.
The density of the pine trees and resulting constant shade throughout the day, led to the selection of dark colours. Consequently, the colour of the aluminium window frames is dark anthracite, while the facade (with 13cm thick insulation panels) is in two different shades of gray. The wooden cladding on the exterior and the coloured glass used as a balustrade interact with the environment. At the same time, these glass panels on the balconies contribute to the enhancement of the architectural volumes.
In the interior, the design follows a strict monolithic approach. The same materials -dark gray granite tile and cement- prevail throughout the interior. All lighting is hidden, so that there is no presence of decorative elements. Certain elements make this house environmentally friendly: the underfloor heating with heat pump, the central cooling system, the exterior facade insulation and the aluminium window frames with thermal barrier.
It is a modern house, based on simplicity and environmental consistency.