Paros Residence by Studio Seilern Architects

PAROS RESIDENCE

PROJECT INFO Location: Makria Myti, Paros, Greece Total Area (GEA): 709.48 m2 Covered Outdoor Areas: 183 m2 Swimming Pool: 33 x 6 m Bedrooms: 9 Bathrooms: 9

TEAM Architects: Studio Seilern Architects Christina Seilern Aris Minaretis Tasos Theodorakis Thomi Steliou General Contractor: PAROSTEC Structural Engineer: KYMA Mechanical Engineer: TEKEM Landscape Architect: E Landscape Pool Consultant: Stelnic Lighting Consultant: IFI Group & Viabizzuno AV Consultant: Audiophile SUBCONTRACTORS: Terrazzo: Nikos Politis Marble: Delta Marble Joinery: Xylou Erga (M. Akoglanis) Electrical Installations: Nikos Patelis Windows: ALDOM

PAROS RESIDENCE

Studio Seilern Architects’ design for a private villa on the Greek island of Paros blends a subtle modernism with both contemporary and traditional detailing and materials. Assembled as a linked series of standalone rooms around a poolside courtyard, the villa touches the landscape lightly, providing a beautiful and simple luxury living environment in its natural Aegean setting.

Ground Floor Plan

Rising above an olive grove on the west coast of the island, the orientation of the villa has been determined by the setting of the August sun; the path of its solar axis terminates at a negative-edge pool cantilevering towards the Aegean Sea. This orientation is mirrored by the adjacent pergola, roofed with bamboo punctured by a single oculus that brings light onto a hand chiseled marble poolside lounge. The surrounding built volumes that comprise the villa are placed on overlapping terrazzo

slabs, which give the appearance of floating above the soil. Clad in rustic mirrors, the inset base of the pool reflects the Mediterranean sky and transforms it into another floating slab. The minimal material richness of the building is derived subtly by means of texture. The traditional white stucco render and stone walls are hemmed by Greek marble and terrazzo at the apertures. The windows are framed by a densely hammered Aliveri marble, inspired by the decorative stone surround that marks the

entrance of Parian churches, while counters and benches feature sandblasted and chiseled stone. The scale of the aggregate displays a calculated variation between different terrazzo surfaces, creating a subtle but vital gradation; a simple arrangement of raw materials that offers layers of intricacy. These careful adjustments provide complexity without overloading the project, allowing the landscape to imbue the house with a unique formal energy appropriate for its coastal position 13

Even though construction in Greece relies heavily on reinforced concrete and brick construction, concrete use for the Paros Residence was limited to foundations and primary structure. The rest of the walls were constructed by a relatively new material on the Greek market called YTONG – aerated concrete blocks. Due to their cellular structure, they make the entire construction process more labour-friendly and lighter, decreasing the energy produced in transporting material to the remote location of the villa. In addition to its construction benefits, the production of YTONG blocks consumes about 60% less raw materials and 80% less energy in its production, as it largely consists of air bubbles and is hardened by autoclaving. With such a porous structure, YTONG is also an excellent thermal and acoustic insulator, which is key for an island where temperatures range from 10 C in winter to 40 C in the peak of summer.

“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.” CHRISTINA SEILERN, STUDIO SEILERN ARCHITECTS

In keeping with the use of local materials, much of the furniture was designed using a local marble from the nearby island of Naxos, selected for its striking contrast of its white section and jet black spots. Committing to the total use of a material that is typically sold as 3-meter slabs, offcuts were used to create shallow bowls to be used

around the house as decorative and serving platters. The villa was completed in the Summer of 2021 and has been enjoyed by its private owners for the first time this year. Studio Seilern Architects worked very closely with local contractors, engineers, and suppliers to oversee the project through the various stages of its design development.

Private houses such as these offer great opportunities for forming close relationships with a client and the design team. This level of intimacy creates opportunities for interesting experimentation resulting in projects that create opportunities for poetic and personal built expression, as well as formal solutions.

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PRACTICE HONOURS & AWARDS

Architects’ Journal Awards 2019 Shortlisted G.W ANNENBERG PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE Structural Steel Design Awards 2019 Shortlisted G.W. ANNENBERG PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE RIBA National Awards - South 2019 Shortlisted G.W ANNENBERG PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE British Council for Offices Awards 2019 Shortlisted ANSDELL STREET WAF - Leisure Led Development 2018 Shortlisted RESTAURANT GÜTSCH AJ Architecture Awards 2017 - Workplace of the Year Shortlisted ANSDELL STREET AJ Retrofit Awards 2017 Shortlisted ANSDELL STREET New London Architecture Awards 2017 Commended ANSDELL STREET RIBA London Regional Award 2017 Shortlisted ANSDELL STREET WAF - Future Educational Project 2016 Shortlisted KSI RABAT WAF - Future Educational Project 2015 Winner G.W. ANNENBERG PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE Blueprint Awards - Best Non-Public Project 2014 Winner GOTA DAM RESIDENCE Architect of the Year Awards (AYA)

International Breakthrough Architect of the Year - 2013 Finalist Architect of the Year Awards (AYA) - One-off House Architect of the Year 2013 Finalist Future Reception Competition, Architects Journal/ Derwent London 2013 Winner RIBA International Award 2013 Winner GOTA DAM RESIDENCE LEAF Awards 2013 Finalist GOTA DAM RESIDENCE WAN House of the Year 2012 Winner GOTA DAM RESIDENCE LEAF - Interiors Awards 2013 Winner LAUENEN RESIDENCE WAN Interiors 2013 Finalist LAUENEN RESIDENCE New London Architecture Awards 2012 Finalist WHITE HORSE STREET WAN Residential 2012 Highly Commended JABI LAKE WAN Interiors 2012 Finalist KENSINGTON RESIDENCE New London Architecture – Don’t Move, Improve 2013 Finalist OXFORD GARDENS World Architecture News Education Award 2012 Finalist KSI GENEVA 37

September 2021 edition Studio Seilern Architects 24 january Scrubs Lane 2022 edition Studio SNW10 eilern Architects London 6RA 24 Scrubs lane london NW10 6RA T +44 89692567 2567 T +44(0)20 (0)20 8969 info@studioseilern.com info@studioseilern.com www.studioseilern.com www.studioseilern.com copyright © 2021 by Studio Seilern Architects all rights reserved.