[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”top-to-bottom”]Home at the waterfront in Preveza, Greece by Tatiana Dimou/i_Architect[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Located near the waterfront of Preveza, Western Greece this project is a showcase of breaking rules and bringing new characteristics into the typical architecture of the Greek neighbourhoods. It is designed by Tatiana Dimou having her office in Patras and constructed by PRAXIS CONSTRUCTIONS. The four member family house has two floors and an English basement (half sunken in the ground), and total built area of 308.4 sqm.
The main access to the site is on North. This facade is more “calm” and balanced with its simple graphic expression. The extruded part on the top floor serves as a weather protection for the main door (image above, on the left), which forms a welcoming and cosy entrance. This little place has also a full visual access to the waterfront through the glass protection wall.
Southwest view. Image production © 2016 Thomas Tsekouras for Tatiana Dimou / i_ARCHiTECT
The wide view to the sea on South is undoubtedly a main factor for the form and the orientation of this house. The main entrance is on North but then on the South side, there is an access to the beach and it is as like the whole house is “looking” at that direction. Different sections of the view are dedicated to each bedroom on the top floor and that is, I think, something, which would give a unique atmosphere in the rooms although the windows are on the same side. Furthermore, the design includes balcony cuts to allow framed visual access to the sea where it would be missing and let in light to create interesting shadows.
Southeast view showing the way to the beach. Image production © 2016 Thomas Tsekouras for Tatiana Dimou / i_ARCHiTECT
Balconies. Image production © 2016 Thomas Tsekouras for Tatiana Dimou / i_ARCHiTECT
The second floor is the most private area and a place for recreation and study. The planning allows, though, several choices of interaction between the family members. For example, the parents and the children have their own rooms with balconies but they can meet at the shared space outside the master bedroom. The study is also a shared space for at least two and the users can choose to read and work indoors or outdoors.
Second floor. © 2016 Tatiana Dimou / i_ARCHiTECT
Downstairs is dedicated to the shared areas, namely the kitchen, the dining room and the living room designed in an open manner. A very common feature in the Greek homes is the wide-open entrance. The view towards the sea is, again, generously exploited by placing lounge areas and a huge terrace on South.
First floor. © 2016 Tatiana Dimou / i_ARCHiTECT
With access from both the courtyard and the staircase, the basement is a place for having fun. This allows inviting guests for evening activities without disturbing the rest of the family. Including bar, billiard, lounge and home theatre, the bottom floor is both for guests and for a private use, which makes this home so functionally flexible.
Basement. © 2016 Tatiana Dimou / i_ARCHiTECT
View to the sea and the South terrace. © 2016 Thomas Tsekouras for Tatiana Dimou / i_ARCHiTECT
The pure white in the upper part of the facade appear in different colours in the different hours of the day as it reflects the sky, and thus, allows the user to experience the changes in time. The lower parts of the house are darker as it reaches the ground. That gives a feeling for stability despite the large extensions of the second floor.
Facade details. © 2016 Thomas Tsekouras for Tatiana Dimou / i_ARCHiTECT
The interesting projections, shadows and angles created by the geometry provide the user with curious views to observe. As a whole this house is demonstrating an unusual look but it is still culturally connected to its social environment. As the construction has just finished it would be interesting to find out how the outside area will develop in time and how the vegetation will connect with the house. A big potential I see is in the presence of numerous steps and stairs in the courtyard, which can be used for unplanned purposes like sitting outdoors or organizing plants in pots.
