HYBRID LEVEL LAYOUT

During the preliminary design of this country house the client was struggling to choose between a two storey house or a single storey flat house. The staircases of two storey buildings tire and reduce the freedom of internal movement of the user, especially for older people. The single storey flat houses while releasing the internal movements cannot control the exposure to the environment (humidity, poor hygiene) and prevent the existence of privacy and the sense of protection (insecurity), especially in a country house at a rural area.

The synthesis that was suggested and applied resolved the above dillema because it combined the two traditional forms of architecture typology into one hybrid level house: neither single nor double storey, with bedrooms at a 1m-level difference from the kitchen, dining, sitting and courtyard areas.

Immediate but controlled proximity to nature, and privacy, while simultaneously preserving comfortable internal movement are some important advantages resulting from the before mentioned hybridization.

Furthermore, the synthesis faced another major challenge: the control of the frequent heavy northern winds, in order to maximize the available external space.

The long linear growth of the building was oriented in a way that converted the building to a shield against the strong winds. The exteriors are pleasant and hospitable regardless of the weather.

The materials for the external areas were chosen according to their minimal thermal absorbency. Therefore the external floors do not store heat during the day in the summer, letting the inhabitants enjoy the evening coolness without any unpleasant heat emission.

DESIGNED & CONSTRUCTED BY: ELLINIKI DOMIKI HTTP://WWW.ELLINIKIDOMIKI.GR/

SOURCE: ELLINIKI DOMIKI

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