Origami House

Nicosia, Cyprus

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Origami House

Nicosia, Cyprus

Firm

MSSM Associates

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2021

SIZE

1000 sqft - 3000 sqft

BUDGET

$100K - 500K

The plot is located on a small slope on a main road just before entering the south-west suburbs of Nicosia and was originally laid out on two levels. The particularity of the location and the geomorphology of its terrain expressed a need to create a residence, which would be a landmark for the newly-developed area of Pera Orinis.

The proposal is inspired by the Japanese philosophy of "Origami", which is mainly based on the creation of three-dimensional forms with the help of multiple folding surfaces of paper. There were multiple reasons why the main idea was based on this philosophy. Due to the fact that the owners are lovers of austere Japanese culture, combined with the fact that the sculpting of the volume manifests an architecture of such a philosophy, they were decisive for the design to turn in such a direction. The various folds in the outer envelope of the building create voids with the inner surface of the shell, which significantly contributes to the reduction of the energy load to the building.

Despite the particular form of the building, the layout of the interior spaces is simple; a fundamental principle in Japanese architecture. It is worth noting that the pleated surfaces that make up the main idea continue, both in the landscaping and inside the spaces, resulting in an overall coherence in the project.

All the main spaces are oriented towards the large single exterior space (main courtyard) and all the auxiliary spaces towards the north-eastern border of the plot. The main interior spaces have a southwest orientation, thus covered by considerably larger cantilevers, while the auxiliary ones face the northeast, thus having smaller openings. On the south-west side, the extent of the overhangs increases and decreases according to the direction of the sun in order to prevent unwanted solar radiation. In addition, external sliding shading panels are used for the same purpose. With the aforementioned passive design systems, as well as the use of photovoltaic panels, the thermal comfort of the building is significantly enhanced.

Despite the strong presence of the building in the wider built environment of the area, its pleated surfaces are distinctive enough to make the project a sculpture, which harmonizes with the morphology of the natural environment and the scattered hills of the area. Particular aesthetic value is enhanced by the play of light when it hits the folded surfaces of the building, in different phases of the day, thus providing a great experience to the owners, as well as passers-by.

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Origami House

Nicosia, Cyprus

Origami House

Nicosia, Cyprus

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team