This residence is designed for a five-member family. The site, located in Palaiopanagia, a suburban area of Nafapaktos (Greece), has an plot area of 1.000 sq.m., and a pentagonal shape. Its wide side is orientated to the north view. The direct relationship between the interior and exterior space was requested from the client, as well as the building to be placed on the end of the site, leaving free space for a future addition. The design of the house is a combination of ve dynamic, linear, crooked zones that are consisted of void and full volumes. Those zones are moving in parallel, sliding with each other and creating a dynamic relationship. The building is unfolding the west – east axis, with the main orientation on the south and the exterior space. In the ground oor, the house is bending towards the site, enforcing the relationship with the exterior, where- as on the rst level, the zone that embraces the build- ing is creating a strong boundary. In order to achieve a clear de nition the relationship of public and private spaces, the entrance is placed on the north part and the boundary of the building is more closed and clear. On this side, the secondary functions of the house are placed. Towards the south side, the building opens to the exterior accommodating the living room and din- ing room on the ground level and the bedrooms on the first level.
Project was featured in:
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Archdaily: http://www.archdaily.com/789913/is-house-barlas-architects
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Designboom: http://www.designboom.com/architecture/is-house-barlas-architects-pygmalion-karatzas-08-14-2015/
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The 8th Panhellenic Architecture Exhibition: http://www.sana.gr/blog/?p=798
KS HOUSES
Location: Kourouta
Architect: Konstantin Thorvald Barlas
Team: Emmanouil Amariotakis
Client: Private
Design date: 2024
Status: Under Construction
This residential project comprises a complex of three independent homes, designed as part of a newly developed plot within the coastal settlement of Kourouta. Each residence is thoughtfully arranged across two levels—with a ground floor and an attic—complemented by a private underground space for parking and storage.
Accessed directly from the local road network, the homes are organized to ensure privacy, optimal sunlight exposure, and cross-ventilation. The architectural composition reflects a modern yet regionally attuned vocabulary, integrating simple volumes, pitched roofs, and a restrained palette of materials.
A key element of the proposal is that each home includes its own private swimming pool, offering residents an autonomous outdoor experience that blends leisure, comfort, and a strong sense of place. These pools are carefully positioned within the individual landscaped courtyards, reinforcing the identity of each unit as a self-contained summer retreat.
The material and construction strategy emphasizes clean detailing and energy-conscious choices: reinforced concrete structure, dry-wall internal partitions, marble-finished staircases, high-performance glazing, and thermal break aluminium frames. Exterior finishes and tones are carefully selected to harmonize with the coastal character of the area.
Accessibility considerations have been integrated from the outset, allowing for step-free movement within the site and at key entry points. In terms of sustainability, the project follows a passive-first approach—incorporating solar technologies, natural ventilation, and high-performance insulation—ensuring year-round comfort with minimal environmental impact.
Altogether, this development represents a discreet yet distinctive contribution to the built landscape of Kourouta, balancing seaside informality with architectural clarity and contemporary comfort.
