PRIVATE RESIDENCE IN DIONYSOS

DIONYSOS, GREECE

The house is situated in the up-market northern Athens suburb of Dionysos which lies at the foot of Mount Penteli. It has sheltered views from its front windows and terraces, and a large number of fully grown tall pine trees at the back of the property which have made possible the creation of a secluded garden resembling a forest retreat.

There are three superstructure levels and a basement. On the ground floor are the living areas which extend directly onto the rear natural garden and a separate breakfast terrace, whereas on the first and second floors are bedrooms, an office and a loft apartment including a study. The basement comprises an independent residential unit with an independent external entrance, a fitness room, a garage and all the ancillary facilities of the house.

As one enters the house, the most striking features are a two-storey high void over the dining room and a large 3m wide by 6m high picture window with views, from both levels, towards the pine garden. This window also brings ample natural light deep into the house.

Front verandah and rear garden are kept separate in order to stress their different functions, being linked only by a metal and wood ship-like deck bridge whose light construction further emphasises the different uses of the front and back external areas of the property.

The light brown colour used for the façades, together with a similar colour selected for the roof tiles, make for a largely uniform single colour building enveloped by the dominant natural vegetation of the area.