Mani Residences | Earth & Sky

Messenia, Greece

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Mani Residences | Earth & Sky

Messenia, Greece

Firm

P4 architecture

Type

Residential › Multi Unit Housing

STATUS

Concept

SIZE

3000 sqft - 5000 sqft

BUDGET

$500K - 1M

“The decisive, the necessary the useful,
so much that there is no room for the inessential”

D. Pikionis

The study of the Mani landscape, its particular features, and the land’s long history were the
starting point of this composition. Every traditional building in Mani is distinguished by its intimate
relationship with the Land. Its form derives from the unpretentious and rigid structure arising from
the principle of the minimal. Stone, wood, and soil are the compositional elements that always
follow the spirit of the absolutely necessary, responding to each functional need with the
minimum use of material and work.
The main challenge of this project was to maintain the principles of the traditional Mani an
architecture, while creating three distinct holiday homes, aiming for the greatest privacy
possible.
The linear, southwest-oriented plot is characterized by the steep terrain slope, the entrance at
the north end, and the traces of the traditional double “aloni”, the threshing floor, at the south
end.
The bold unification of the entrance with the traditional double threshing floor constitutes the first
step of the composition. The threshing floor is thus restored and transformed into a communal
space for the small residential complex. The visitors’ course in the site is organized as a straight
path, parallel to the steep terrain slope, regulating the movements and acting as a “backbone”
of the composition’s structure.
The dry stone wall is the main compositional element; it forms the primary stopping areas at a
lower level than the main course, following the terrain slope.
The residences, both distinct and in direct relation to the visitors’ course, preserve the scale and
the dimensions that can be found in the traditional settlements of Mani. The first two houses,
which are of the same type, are placed parallel to the course and the slope of the plot.
As a counterpoint, the third building block is placed vertically to the course. The course is better
defined and framed through the block’s semi-open space, while the opening towards the south
preserves its privacy.
In both typologies, we can distinguish the triptych of the Mediterranean habitation; the indoors,
the outdoors and in-between spaces. Each typology is developed around the semi-open space,
highlighting the importance of in-between spaces to the Mediterranean life, as well as to the
structure of each building settlement. Through the extensive use of glass, the building volume is
released in the semi-open area or in an organized terrace with a small pool near the natural
ground level. Large horizontal shades on the buildings’ facades protect them from the southern
sun rays, while vertical shades, also on the facades, protect them from the western sun and
ensure the privacy of each space.
The reference to Mani Architecture is evident in this composition. The composition does not
attempt its morphological expression as a nostalgic image, but rather to reconstruct the values and
principles that created it. In this context, the imitation of traditional buildings is avoided. Instead,
the composition pursuits the minimum use of material and work to respond with modern
materials and means to the functional needs of the contemporary man.

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Mani Residences | Earth & Sky

Messenia, Greece

Mani Residences | Earth & Sky

Messenia, Greece

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team