Construction of a detached house in Penteli
Research, design and construction
House construction
On a plot of land with a steep slope and a view of the mountain of Penteli, the KS Project Athens architectural practice embarked on the study, design and construction of the main residence of a young couple.
The unique aesthetics of the owners and the particular topography of the terrain were the main axes for the study and design of the project, forming a detached house characterized by contrasts, with elements that create a playfulness – a surprise for both users and visitors.
The functional requirements included the following areas: living room, kitchen, two main spacious rooms, playroom, laundry room and swimming pool.
And so, the volume of the building was shaped in a C-shape with the house unfolding in 3 levels: the ground floor, the basement and the first floor. On the ground floor are the common areas along with a loft-office and the swimming pool outside, while the bedrooms are located on the first floor and the basement contains the utility rooms.
The primary idea for the design and construction of the project was the creation of a clean rectangular structure that contrasts with the intense natural topography of the surrounding area, which did not require many interventions. Essentially, we ensured the preservation of the natural terrain, without any particular shaping. At the same time, our aim was to have all central spaces of the house oriented towards the beautiful view of the Penteli mountain.
The main entrance of the house is on the north side of the plot, on the side of the road, which is a few steps lower. Next to the entrance, on the same level as the road, is the parking area for cars. The entrance leads the visitor to the common areas of the dining room and the living room, as well as the staircase leading to the first floor.
The kitchen and the living room surround the pool area, making it directly accessible for the owners and their guests while also offering a view from the pool area.
The ground floor is defined – among other things – by its great height, at the end of which openings-recesses were designed to give a more mysterious lighting to the public areas. This reinforced the predominance of the natural landscape and the view, weakening the boundaries between the interior and exterior spaces.
The strictness of the lines of the furniture and the grey and white colors along with the metallic elements of the space, contrast (or even enhance, one might say) with the colorful pop decorations, the carefully selected utility objects and the architectural parts. The pop aesthetic, after all, played a primary role in the study carried out by the Athens-based design team of The KS Project, as the owner couple had expressed a keen interest in this particular art and culture. Thus, the living room was decorated with matching paintings, while the white kitchen with its yellow metallic entrance, colored fixtures, chairs, and even the interior of the cabinets, manage to deconstruct the seriousness in the design lines, giving a fun tone to the spaces.