PRIVATE RESIDENCE IN GLYFADA

ATHENS, GREECE

Situated in the up-market suburb of Glyfada this four-storey villa was designed in a way maximising the views towards the Saronic Bay to the south and Ymitos Mountain to the north.

A diagonal circulation axis “slices” the villa from end to end, defining the plan layouts and the morphology of the building both externally and internally. The diagonal circulation zone on the first level extends to a wooden deck overhanging the swimming pool and, at the front end of the building, to a semi-circular element which becomes the main façade feature. It is clad with curved timber panels and houses the main entrance and, at first floor level, a study library.

The villa has three levels above ground and a basement. Living areas are placed on ground level with direct connection to the rear garden, the swimming pool and the chapel. Bedrooms and family areas have been located on the first floor. An independent entity, combining private and living areas, is on the second floor, adjoining a panoramic multi-purpose roof terrace. The basement includes an heirloom repository and a large play area complete with a small indoor swimming pool and fitness facilities. The unifying functional and aesthetic component of the house is the curved marble staircase running from basement to the roof terrace.

A feature of the minimalistic small chapel, located at the far end of the garden, is its whitewashed cylindrical concrete dome encrusted with a precast glass cross which diffuses light into the chapel during the day while at night it becomes a focal point as it is visible from the higher-lying reception areas of the house.