Although Greece has been making headlines for the wrong reasons lately, there’s no denying that it is a land of great beauty and rich history. The Mediterranean nation has a long tradition of grandiose buildings, an architecture that has long informed subsequent projects around the world. These contemporary Greek villas and residences explore Greece’s legacy across a variety of scales and locations, showcasing a Mediterranean architecture that prioritizes view, landscape, and environmental condition.
One common feature among all the villas is that they are primarily built in and of the landscape, rarely atop or upon it. They emerge from their surroundings, a product of the locally available materials and topography. Each one a material, spatial, and environmental condition and response to the landscape, these villas also invite individuals to look outward toward the Aegean Sea. This tension helps create a powerful dynamic between an inward, contextual architecture of place and an inviting, outward architecture of view and orientation.
© Ståle Eriksen
© Ståle Eriksen
Voronoi’s Corrals by Deca Architecture, Milos, Greece
A private house located in an isolated setting with a large lot, the Voronoi’s Corrals looks to delineate rural and wild landscapes. Emerging from an experience of the corrals, the house is situated on a plateau above limestone cliffs. The four corrals include the Immersion, Orchard, Preservation, and Isolation, each a different approach to landscape.
Private Residence by Helen Sfakianaki, Aegina, Greece
Overlooking the waters below, this beautiful villa designed by Helen Sfakianaki takes a modern approach to the blue and white Greek homes typically found throughout the islands. Composed of a simple concrete block, the home opens up to views of the sea and surrounding landscape. Folding elements along the façade allow the design to fully open to the weather and give uninterrupted sight-lines to the individuals inside.
© Mold Architects - Iliana Kerestetzi
Aegean Archipelago House by Iliana Kerestetzi, Kanálion, Greece
The Aegean Archipelago House merges with the landscape to create an accessible roof space and rooms that open up toward the sea. Built with local stone and simple, geometric lines, the villa allows visitors to circulate down into and around the hillside. The design also makes use of an open-air design.
© Ed Reeve
© Erieta Attali
Aloni by Deca Architecture, Antiparos, Greece
A house that responds to domestication and topography, Aloni situates itself at the bottom of two hills. Earth-retaining stone walls create an artificial landscape on the roof of the villa while also protecting the house from the elements. Courtyards are carved into the house and emerge into the surrounding landscape, creating a flow between interior and exterior space.
Paros House by Alexandros Logodotis and Vathrakokoilis Dimitris, Paros, Greece
A beautiful villa with expansive views toward the sea, Paros House was created as a modern home. It was also designed to respect the features of a traditional Cycladic architecture. It combines traditional building methods, elegant interiors, and careful positioning on its site to create a captivating retreat.
© doxiadis+
Landscapes of Cohabitation by doxiadis+, Antiparos, Greece
Designed to reimagine land use, this project carefully situates multiple luxury villas on the breathtaking volcanic outcropping on Antiparos. The goal of the project was to allow development to happen without damaging the native ecological stability. Thus, the landscape architecture comprises dense plantings, erosion-preventative landscaping, agricultural terraces, and noninvasive plant gardens.
© K-STUDIO
© K-STUDIO
Plane House by K Studio, Sporades, Greece
Overlooking the sea, Plane House takes advantage of the beautiful Greek weather. A series of horizontal planes are inserted into the slope to preserve views, while the space between planes is defined by flexible screens and panels. A large pool overlooks the breathtaking view and creates a cooling breeze into the home.
