CASA CONVENTUS

CASA CONVENTUS
A VACATION HOUSE IN MESSENIA, KREMMYDIA, PYLIA
“Perhaps I may have used the word ‘tradition,’ without drawing sufficient attention to this evidence that tradition does not mean habit.” It is not rote; tradition “is interesting, on the contrary, for its power to break habit; that is the means by which it demonstrates its vitality.” - G.Seferis

In Kremmydia, a small mountain village in Messenia, we were asked to design a vacation house for families or friends who love the Mediterranean wilderness and the village’s unsophisticated simplicity. Located at the village edge with a gentle slope and adjacent to a curved, slow-traffic street, the site offers southeastern views of the valley and the sea. Strict settlement regulations mandated the stereotomic development of the structure, including a sloped roof and roof tiles. Additionally, the owner requested the entire house be developed on one level while maximizing the views towards the valley and sea. These two conditions defined the entire design process: developing the dwelling on one level while maintaining an intimate relationship with nature and its views and fulfilling the mandatory regulations regarding the stereotomic approach and other formalistic requirements.

  1. First, a monolithic rectangular podium-plinth is created from the earth, providing the horizontal plane for the dwelling and enhancing landscape views while increasing privacy.
  2. Second, the functional spaces on the two narrow sides of the rectangular plinth are opposed, benefiting from southern natural light and creating cross-ventilated spaces with maximum privacy.
  3. Third, a generous outdoor atrium in the house’s core creates a serene elevated Mediterranean courtyard with views towards the Messenian valley, fostering a close relationship with outdoor space and nature.
  4. Fourth, the structural system, composed of thin walls housing the service zones, increases the house’s introverted nature and defines landscape views.
  5. Fifth, a radiant sloped ceiling connects the common and private spaces, bringing natural southern light to the serene garden and interior spaces while orienting views towards the landscape.

    Thus, the proposed synthesis can be conceived as a triptych: the base that responds to the site and landscape, the main body that fulfills the requirements for a stereotomic approach and houses all the nuances of contemporary Mediterranean life, and the ceiling that complies with local regulations and highlights the garden as a protagonist in the entire synthesis. Based on this triptych distinction, the materials have been carefully selected. White concrete mixed with excavated rocks from the plot composes the base in a rough finish. White concrete with excavated aggregates from the land is proposed for the main body to have a smoother finish. Oak massif wood is proposed for the radiant sloped ceiling, with mandatory terracotta roof tiles. Lastly, prefabricated white concrete parts are proposed for the brise soleil walls that enclose all the semi-outdoor circulation of the house, adding depth and theatrical movement to the perimeter of the atrium. Around the proposed residence, the landscape design aims to highlight the wilderness of the Mediterranean vegetation while preserving the memory of the plot as a vineyard. Wild species from the Messenian landscape have been chosen to create a landscape network that will develop gradually alongside the house, evolving with the passage of time and the changing seasons. On the northern boundary of the plot, the existing vines will be replanted to maintain the wine production of this small vineyard.

Architects: P4architecture

Design Team: Konstantinos Pyliotis, Alkiviadis Pyliotis, Evangelos Fokialis, Chara Kaika

Contributor: Panayiota Kyriakou

Interior Design Consultant: Andreas Petropoulos

Civil Engineers Consultants: Skalos EPE

3D Visualization: Michalis Meggios

Project Type: Residential

Project Year: 2024