Rkitekts, Epaminondas Daskalakis & Associates

COME ABOARD !

171101_Residence, Nicosia_Cyprus

The challenge
In the middle of the Southeastern Med, Cyprus is an island that experiences the increasingly hotter, high-humidity climate associated with climate change. In designing a residence for a large family in Nicosia, in addition to the parameters dictated by the weather, we also had to account for the family’s extrovert lifestyle, which includes a plethora of daily personal and social activities and frequent entertainment of guests.

The heart
The main architectural concept was the creation of a core or “heart”, around which the various family activities would unfold. That central point is the garden with its pool and pool house, which is in direct visual contact with almost all the rooms of the L-shaped residence. The main structure comprises of three levels: a basement dedicated to hobbies, athletic activities and parking; a ground level acting both as a gathering point for family & guests and office; and a more private, upper level that includes the sleeping/relaxation quarters.

Nature is welcome
The residence itself is open on all points of the horizon, in a manner that allows nature -the sun, the breeze, the garden, the planted roof tops- to almost invade the premises. In addition to the central swimming pool, we added a second body of water in the south side, both of which form a helpful micro-climate. In fact, when weather permits, the interior of the house becomes a blessed, semi-open sanctuary.

The materials
The state-of-the-art steel structure is austere and rectangular. Parts of the exterior walls are cladded by Pietra grey slates and exterior spaces paved with Agrinio marble. Automatic wooden louvers, along with smart ventilation systems, drastically reduce the dependence on mechanical heating/cooling. In the interior, the use of Dionysos marble, sustainable timber and energy glass panes, contribute to the sense of peace.

Year: 2017
Location: Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus
Client: Private
Project status: Completed
Surface: 850 m2 Main house, 80 m2 Pool house, 650 m2 Basement
Design team:
E.Daskalakis
M.Machli
M.Skoulikis
N.Kyriakidi
T.Papadi
Local Architects:
Omass Architecture
Structural
P.Stylianou
Electomechanical
G.Katsambas
N.Nikolaou
Landscape design:
Greenways
Photos:
Y. Yerolymbos