"BRIGHT ATRIUM", RESIDENCE IN KIFISIA

In a narrow triangular plot, where adjacent buildings abut the southern and eastern boundaries, the building’s footprint recedes to engage in dialogue with a centuries-old olive tree and touches the southeast boundary in order to avoid fragmenting the outdoor space into narrow strips. The bioclimatic design of the residence overcomes the obstacle of the southern party wall by creating an interior atrium at a distance from it.

The structure is conceived as a composition of rectangular prisms arranged around an atrium space, which channels the life-giving sunlight from the upper floor all the way to the basement. The atrium organizes interior circulation, offers a range of visual perspectives, and contributes to the residents’ pleasant psycho-physical activation. This three-storey glass-roofed space accommodates vertical circulation, provides natural lighting and heating, and articulates the interior layout. It serves as the reception and reference point of the residence, around which the cross-ventilated living areas are developed.

The main living quarters are located on the elevated ground floor, enjoying a harmonious relationship with the courtyards. The residence extends either to the semi-basement, which serves as a play and gathering area, or to the study-balcony. A second residence is planned to be constructed in the remaining area of the upper floor.

The clarity of the building’s geometric volumes is enhanced by the juxtaposition of diverse materials: colored plaster, bush-hammered concrete, metal constructions, glazing, and stone masonry. In contrast to the austere, minimalist exterior facades, the interior space is enriched with a variety of cozy living corners, which foster a sense of familiarity, diagonal visual interactions, and contact with nature. Thermal and visual comfort is achieved through the integration of passive solar design systems, with an emphasis on direct solar gain for heating in winter, solar protection to prevent overheating in summer, and night-time ventilation for summer cooling.

AWARDS
Architectural Design Awards, SADAS-PEA, 2005
4th Biennale of Young Greek Architects, Hellenic Institute of Architecture, 2004

PUBLICATIONS
Bioclimatic Architecture in Greece, Ergon IV Editions, Athens 2009, pp. 104–113
Themata Chorou + Technon, Issue 39/2008, pp. 152–153
Ktirio, Issue 3/2008, pp. 54–60
Ellinikes Kataskeves, Issue 112, Nov. 2006, pp. 76–82
Architectural Design Awards 2005, SADAS–PEA, 2005, pp. 18–19
4th Biennale of Young Greek Architects, HIA, 2004, pp. 52–53

EXHIBITIONS
“DiverseCity – architects”, Dublin, 17/11/2004 – 28/01/2005 & Athens, November 2005
“Architectural Design Awards 2005”, New Building of the Benaki Museum, 3–12 June 2005, SADAS
“4th Biennale of Young Greek Architects”, Technopolis – K. Kavafis Hall, 3–21 November 2004, HIA