Paros Residence by Studio Seilern Architects

Designed by Studio Seilern Architects, the home utilises a simple East-West layout to centre the elements around the setting of the August sun. The solar axis is described by a linear path that terminates at a negative-edge pool cantilevering into the Aegean blue. This linearity is mirrored by the adjacent pergola a gently undulating bamboo wave, punctured by a single oculus that bathes the chiselled marble poolside lounge in natural light. This pergola and resting area effortlessly wrap the pool area, designed to feel as if the home is floating among the surrounding olive grove.

Just as the built elements are placed gently on the site, the material richness of the building is derived subtly by means of texture. Beyond the traditional white and stone walls, the materiality is augmented by Greek marble and terrazzo. The simplicity of these raw materials is the key to the intricacy of the project, with the size of the stone aggregate displaying calculated variation between different terrazzo surfaces, creating a subtle but vital gradation.

The windows are framed by densely hammered Aliveri marble, inspired by the decorative stone surround that marks the entrance of Parian churches, while the counters and benches feature sandblasted and chiselled stone. These careful adjustments provide complexity without overloading the site, allowing the magic of the landscape to imbue the house with the unique energy for which we build by the seaside.

In the spirit of building better and greener, this project interrogated the building practices on the island to achieve the most sustainable building practices within the limitations of material availability. Rather than defaulting to concrete, brick, and petroleum-derived insulation products, the team opted to construct all the walls with Y-tong, a Greek brand of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks (AAC Blocks). These blocks contain 80% air and combine insultation, structural capability, and fire protection in a single material. Besides negating the need for rigid insulation, these AAC blocks also contain recycled materials like fly ash and rebar.

Studio Seilern Architects principal Christina Seilern says, “The house reacts to the wonderful surrounding views and has been organised for the August sunset by arranging the layout around the East-West axis. We wanted to create an architecture that seems to touch the earth lightly – slabs of terrazzo float and barely touch each other at the corners. The swimming pool cantilevers over the olive grove, giving the impression that it is levitating.”

The various outdoor and landscaping elements and the rich and warm interior spaces combine to create an ultra modern home that fits effortlessly into its surroundings, designed to fully maximise the relaxing and inviting atmosphere of island life.