Vacation House in an Olive Grove by Spyridon Architecture

In the eastern part of the Greek island of Naxos, amidst a primitive landscape, far away from the saturation of tourism, a compact, single story vacation house was built within the confines of a deserted olive grove. The composition consists of a simple, rectangular form, in which a frugal, linear program was embedded, designed to fit the needs of the owner and her family.

The only interruption in the form is the exterior shower, forming a boundary between private and public, protecting the bedrooms from the more extroverted living room. A main consideration for the design was the relationship between interior and exterior spaces, which remains strong, regardless of the gentle site slope, due to the wide platform that protrudes from the landscape and creates a defined area, where the residents can enjoy the Mediterranean sun under the subtle protection of a wooden pergola.

The building and its systems were designed with the micro-climate in mind, typical characteristics of vernacular architecture in the area, adjusted to the needs of contemporary living. A fully insulated shell, along with a strategic placement of the openings and a fully autonomous water collection tank, provide a comfortable habitation with small carbon footprint. The material palette is comprehensive and within the spectrum of white for the exterior, while for the interior – although close to a bare minimum – incorporates parts of the natural element that surrounds the building.