Art Collector's House

Nicosia

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Art Collector's House

Nicosia

Firm

Vakis Associates | architects + designers

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2013

SIZE

10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft

BUDGET

$5M - 10M

The building that most people choose to live in and make it their family house is a very private and personal matter. It reflects the personality of the entire family, the way they live, relax and entertain. Many times this choice is a matter of compromise due to the many factors of everyday life, like proximity to work and schools, budget, building and planning regulations, client/architect relationship and whether is a new structure or old. This is a case study of a new house in 20 acres of woodland for a young couple who are devoted to their extensive art collection their family and enjoy hospitality and fine dining. It is more of a gallery with some living space within it rather than the other way around. The house, in the central plains of Cyprus, in one of the greenest areas of the island enjoys fantastic unobstructed long views of the surrounding area. The idea was to create an open house where by public can visit the gallery to enjoy the space, the art and share the owners’ passion for it.
Three structures, combined in a linear order, create a simple plan with the cooking/eating areas to the west, the gallery and living areas in the middle and the sleeping areas to the east. All spaces are on the ground level with the exception of the study/living area which is located in a cannon like tube on the first floor with its axis directed towards a selected part of the surrounding view.
The background of the owner (a renowned publisher) with studies in Architecture and his wife’s interior design retail connections helped to create a large house that breaks the myth, that large structures cannot be cosy, warm and hospitable.
The materials were chosen for their quality and their structural ability. Fair faced concrete walls were chosen for their supporting capability and the steel structure for the extra long cantilevers that help to protect and shade all year round the house from the elements. The dome and barrel vault structures represent a romantic note to the east, to celebrate the middle eastern connections of the site. The pine forest within the site was carefully surveyed and was used to compliment the house. The organic vegetable and fruit tree orchard to the west encourages the kitchen and cooking enthusiastic hostess to expand her gourmet capabilities. This is a purpose built house to live, enjoy, play and party.