The “Square” beach house is a summer residence that sits in an olive grove on the west coast of Skiathos island. Oriented towards the view of the sea and placed on the east edge of the site, the residence and outdoor spaces of the intervention are confined conceptually in a 20 x 20 square and extended upwards to occupy two levels.
The form plays with the geometry of a white cube. By extracting parts of the volume, the external spaces are revealed creating the square outdoor area situated just above the height of the foliage of the trees. On the first floor, the entrance is extenuated by a covered walkway which splits in two parts the rectangular volume that hosts the living room and kitchen. A metal canopy attached, retains the linear condition to highlight the symmetry of the elevation. Following the walkway, an L-shaped pool is revealed blending in with the view of the sea.
A slit placed centrally on the axis of the entrance and the sea view, allows access from the upper to the lower level where the four bedrooms are located. The user while facing the sea submerges to the lower floor area. Passing under the pool they find themselves on the main terrace of the ground floor entering the path to the garden. Lastly, the lower level is arranged openly to maintain the continuity and synergy between the indoors and outdoors.
Photographer: Vagelis Paterakis