Agios Sostis, Serifos Island, Greece
Designed by European 40 Under 40 laureate, Illiana Kerestezi of Mold Architects, nCaved residence is located on a small secluded rocky cove on Serifos Island in Greece, seemingly hovering just above sea level.
Illiana Kerestezi was recently awarded a 2020 European 40 Under 40 Award from The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and The Chicago Athenaeum.
The need for protection from the strong winds and the desire to take full advantage of the disarming view led to the decision to drill the slope and create a protected shelter that integrates to the landscape yet maintains a dynamic presence.
A rectangular grid produces a three-dimensional “chessboard” of solids and voids.
This strict geometry is discontinued to the rotation of the last axis of the grid, which intensifies the sense of perspective, projecting the imprint of the residence minimized at the conceptual end of the ascent.
In caved areas are “negative” spaces. They result from severing and removing part of the rock.
This rough feeling of a natural cavity was what the architect aimed to recreate with the choice of materials and color palette.
Stone, exposed concrete, wood, and metal are used with precision to create coarse inner shells. Lighting and ventilation with front and rear openings, stone, a planted flat roof, suitable insulation, as well as energy-efficient glass panels adds to NCAVED excellent bioclimatic features.
The residence is divided into three levels: bedrooms, living rooms, and a guest house.
The first two communicate internally, while the guest house is independent. An in-caved staircase connects the three levels externally and leads to the main entrance, located at the living room loft.
Project: nCaved
Architects: Illiana Kerestezi- Mold Architects
Photographs: Yiorgis Yerolymbos
