HOLIDAY HOUSE IN THIMARI, ATTICA, GREECE

PANAGIOTIS ZAKKAS, ARCHITECT

The reuse of an unfinished reinforced concrete building structure for a new holiday house in Thimari presented an excellent opportunity to apply the principles of sustainable design. The regeneration of this abandoned structure, which dominates a rocky, schist peninsula, conserves resources and reduces the environmental footprint of the new construction, as the reuse of existing concrete significantly lowers the need for new building materials.

The building is intended as a vacation home for a young couple. The chosen location, a seaside plot along the Athens-Sounio Avenue with a gentle slope leading to a rocky shoreline to the west, offers advantages in terms of accessibility. The integration of the new design into the existing reinforced concrete frame makes use of its structural characteristics to create a contemporary and functional space that respects the distinctive environment and local scale of the area. The coastal landscape features the typical native shrub vegetation of Attica, while a small pine-covered valley lies to the east.

The architectural design of the residence focuses on minimal interventions in the existing unfinished shell, a load-bearing structure of slabs, beams, and columns without infill elements, aiming to highlight it as the main morphological feature. Partition walls are used only where necessary, while large glased openings along the western side define an imaginary corridor that serves as a unifying element for all spaces.

The integration of extensive glass surfaces into the design maximises natural light and visually connects the interior with the surrounding environment. The large glass panels, set back from the outline of the structural framework, offer unobstructed sea views from all interior spaces while also creating spacious covered outdoor areas that provide shade and protection from the elements, making outdoor living comfortable throughout the year. In contrast to the open western façade, the eastern side facing the road features minimal openings, forming a “back” that enhances privacy.

Alongside the building, the surrounding outdoor space was carefully designed, featuring a swimming pool and an outdoor seating area that extend towards the sea as a natural continuation of the existing structure, creating a harmonious and unified composition.

The architectural design of the residence emphasises a multisensory experience, as explored in Juhani Pallasmaa’s essay The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses. The interplay of light and shadow through the large glass surfaces and strategically placed openings constantly transforms the perception of space throughout the day. The openness of the design allows the wind and the sounds of the sea to become part of the architectural experience, while the home’s proximity to the natural landscape incorporates the scents of the sea, the earth, and the Mediterranean flora into daily life.

Location: Thimari, Attica, Greece

Architectural Design: Panagiotis Zakkas, Architect & Zeta Nikolopoulou, Visual Artist

Project Year: 2023-2024