Xerolithi: A Harmonious Blend of Architecture and Nature

George Sinas' Award-Winning Design Merges Greek Island Architecture with Natural Landscapes

The Xerolithi project was sparked by the site's existing elements - steep dirt and gravel slopes, wild thorny bushes, and large rock formations. The most significant elements were the short stone retaining walls, locally known as xerolithies, used for land cultivation. These walls, which form flat stripes of land parallel to the slope, served as the primary inspiration for the design.

Challenging the typical image of stacked white boxes that come to mind when one thinks of the Greek Islands, Sinas envisioned the house's main facades as xerolithies. They start low and gradually develop height, moving closer and away from the slope independently, forming spaces in between. The traditional bamboo pergola with its raw wooden beams in their natural color extends throughout the house, following the curvy morphology like vertebrae of a long spinal cord.

The outer shell of the structure is primarily stone, with exterior walls 50cm thick, supported by a concrete structural system. The ground floor area of the house is 180sqm, with an additional 60sqm of basement area. All spaces have been placed sequentially to spread out as long and thin as possible. The main house is separated by the bedrooms to create a space for the main covered veranda along the house's long spine.

The project was designed in 2015, with construction starting in 2016 and lasting until 2018. The house is situated in Kalo Ampeli, Serifos Island, Cyclades, Greece. The most significant challenge was taming the wavy morphology to keep the house's layout functional while making it sensual.

This design was awarded Silver in the A' Architecture, Building, and Structure Design Award in 2021. The award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.