Summer residence in Kampos

The Summer Residence in the area of Kampos, on the Island of Antiparos, consists of a complex of six independent guesthouses and a main building, situated on a west-facing hillside with a smooth incline. All single floor volumes are developed lengthwise on the plot, in order to maximize the view towards the distant seascape.

Τhe main building, where the communal activities take place, forms the core of the design and the hub of the communal life of the residence. Here, the habitation extends from the large openings of the living room, dining room and kitchen, to the outdoor space of the courtyard, which lies under the shade of a large pergola. At the heart of this courtyard, there is a square garden with climbing plants, suggesting the architectural form of a patio.

The surrounding space, with its prominent 30meter swimming pool, provides a unifying element for the discrete building volumes, as the pool bar next to the pool’s shallow end, towards the west side of the plot, forms a second hub for communal activities. The main building, the courtyard and the pool all serve to highlight the essence of Cycladic outdoor living.

There are two principal axes of movement. The first one, along the front of the complex, promotes casual movement and unhindered access to the view. The second, along the back side, is a linear route with ramps that facilitate access for all users – including people with disabilities – to the main entrance of the buildings and the courtyard. At the same time, this axis serves all auxiliary functions, providing immediate access to the two parking spaces.

The project design utilizes the architectural vocabulary of Constantinos Decavallas (raw concrete ceilings, masonry walls, continuous indoor-outdoor paving and pergolas), as two of the guesthouses were co-designed with the architect in 2014.

The principles of bioclimatic architecture are applied throughout: northern walls for wind protection; openings in the guesthouses to achieve cooling by natural cross ventilation; pergolas on the west-facing facades and the courtyards at the back of the buildings, to offer protection from the setting summer sun.

In addition to topography, vegetation – existing and new – plays an important role in the configuration of the surrounding space. Existing terebinths and native plants are included in the design, while endemic species are used in new planting areas to enable harmonious integration into the local landscape.