The Garden House by Christos Pavlou Architecture
Nestled in the heart of Nicosia, Cyprus, the Garden House stands as a beautiful testament to the power of innovative architecture in a bustling cityscape. Designed by the renowned Christos Pavlou Architecture in 2019, this contemporary, concrete house introduces the concept of lush, urban gardens into the residential sector. Celebrated for its seamless integration of private and communal spaces, the Garden House redefines the notion of urban living by merging the tranquillity of nature with the vibrancy of city life.
Encompassing 60% of the ground floor in verdant landscapes, and fostering a green terrace on the first floor, the design promotes a new standard of urban lifestyle. The house further contributes to biodiversity, fostering bee-friendly environments and a variety of local wildflowers. It’s not just a house, it’s a breath of tranquillity in Nicosia, the largest city on the island known for its compelling history and diverse culture.
About The Garden House
Reinvigorating Urban Spaces with Nature
Although the concept of reintroducing nature to the city isn’t novel, it’s increasingly becoming a vital necessity, particularly for cities that have neglected to prioritize green spaces and communal areas in their urban planning.
Rediscovering Home and the Great Outdoors during Lockdown
The lockdown period reignited our appreciation for the fundamental value of our homes, reminding us of our desire for expanded outdoor spaces, such as balconies and rooftops, to exercise and pursue our hobbies. The longing to freely relish open-air spaces, connect with nature, and engage with our neighbors became a widely-felt craving during the pandemic. However, the virus only accentuated what we’ve repeatedly overlooked—the pressing need to creatively weave nature into our cityscapes.
Designing the ‘Garden House’: A Harmony of Urban Life and Nature
Inspired by the aspiration to reconnect city living with nature and foster communal dialogue, we designed the ‘Garden House’. Our design emphasizes the potential of private urban gardens and the micro-climates they generate to enhance city living conditions and mitigate global warming.
Breaking Down Barriers: Merging Public and Private Spaces
Eschewing traditional fences, and fully glazed on one side, our design envisions a seamless integration with the adjoining public green space. This approach fosters a unified relationship between the neighborhood, the private garden, and the public park. We don’t view urban elements—buildings, streets, and public spaces—as isolated entities but rather as components of a single harmonious configuration, in which the house becomes part of the park and vice versa.
Integrating Green Spaces: A Haven for Humans and Wildlife
Our house design integrates green spaces into its structure, dedicating 60% of the ground floor to garden areas (converting to approximately 6458.35 sq ft for a typical city lot), installing a green terrace on the first floor, and incorporating bee-friendly landscapes and 40 varieties of native wildflowers. All interior spaces flow seamlessly into the outdoors, organized around a verdant central courtyard nestled between two white cubic volumes. Creating room for nature within our cities not only enhances their aesthetic appeal but also encourages the return of local bird species and bees, supporting urban biodiversity and promoting human health and well-being.
Setting a New Urban Living Standard: Embracing Nature’s Tranquility
We firmly believe our proposal underscores the splendor of nature in our urban existence, subsequently establishing a new standard for city living and infusing a sense of tranquility into the neighborhood. When we embrace the concept of the landscape, there are truly no boundaries.
Photography courtesy of Christos Pavlou Architecture
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- by Matt Watts
