The architectural study is about the design of a two-storey detached house of 178,4 square meters in Vari, Attiki, Greece. The residence has an internal staircase and a lift. The house is located in a south-facing corner plot. On the west side the plot is adjacent to Papafotis Street, while on the south it is adjacent to a pedestrian zone. On the other sides, the plot is adjacent to unbuilt plots.

The dwelling is positioned in such a way so as to take advantage of the plot's south orientation. The building is positioned along the west-east axis. In this way all the bedrooms, as well as the communal spaces of the house, are located towards the south, thus taking advantage of the optimal orientation. At the same time, the building is retreated from Papafotis Street and is placed at the eastern side of the plot so as to create a boundary and leave a necessary distance from the road to the west. In addition, the perimeter fencing wall creates an additional boundary to the road and adjacent plots.

Entrance to the courtyard of ​​the house is made from Papafotis Street to the west, with the appropriate configuration of a gate and a garage door. In the uncovered area of ​​the plot there is an outdoor parking space for two cars. The uncovered space of the plot remains unpaved for the most part and there is provision for the planting of necessary trees and shrubs. Where appropriate, the courtyard is paved as needed. In the uncovered area, on the southern part of the plot and along the side adjacent to the pedestrian zone, it is proposed to create a swimming pool as a continuation of the living spaces and the veranda on the ground floor.

Entrance to the house is also on the west side. The house is developed on two levels, the ground floor and the upper floor. On the ground floor are the living room and the dining room, as well as a bedroom, along with the necessary spaces for their support. The rooms on the ground floor face south towards a large terrace, which is a vital space and an extension of the interior throughout the year, but also towards the pool. On the upper floor there are three bedrooms with their own bathrooms. All the bedrooms on the upper floor face towards a common balcony while the master bedroom also communicates with a smaller, more private balcony to the west, just above the entrance door, thus creating a covered area for the entrance below. The balconies offer a view while also making it possible for one to supervise the courtyard.

The rooms of the house are organised into two main elongated zones, one south and one north, separated by a corridor running along the building. Auxiliary or serving spaces such as the kitchen, the bathrooms, the machine room, the wardrobe, as well as the circulation spaces (stairway, lift, corridor) are placed along the northern side of the building due to their minimal demands on natural light.

On the south side of the building are placed large balcony doors, while on the north side the openings have the least possible dimensions. The installation of large southern and small northern openings, combined and opposite to each other, facilitates ventilation and cooling of the building during the summer. The large openings to the south ensure optimum daylight for all main living spaces throughout the year.

For the construction of the dwelling it is proposed to use wooden prefabricated exterior and interior walls, as well as wooden prefabricated slabs for the intermediate floor and the roof. The prefabricated walls are fixed to a reinforced concrete slab foundation.

The basic principles of architectural design have been the best possible utilisation of the favourable southern orientation of the plot, meeting the required functional needs in minimal dimensions, the use of minimal morphological means, the rational use of openings, the standardisation of dimensions and the repetition of structural elements. As a general principle, the design proposal strives in every way to give this home a simple form that facilitates fast and economic construction. This is also the main reason that the prefabrication is proposed as a construction method for the new building.

The choice of a flat roof instead of a sloping roof is intended to enhance the idea of simple form, giving the building a geometric purity and modern aesthetics.

Location: Vari, Attica, Greece

Architectural Design: Panagiotis Zakkas, Architect

Project Year: 2019