Redefinition: A Creative Remodelling of a Mountain House

Transforming Prevailing Mountain Residential Typologies

Helen Brasinika, a renowned designer, has redefined the concept of mountain living with her innovative project, Redefinition. This major renovation of a typical mountain house challenges the prevailing rustic remembrances of existing mountain residential typologies. Brasinika's aim was to create a space where everything would be manufactured on-site, using basic materials such as metal, pine wood, and mineral aggregates, as well as human labor and expertise. The main idea behind this approach was to allow the objects to acquire use and sentimental value as the owners began to find them useful and pleasant.

The design of Redefinition is characterized by the architectural feeling of black burnt metal and volcanic stone. The construction and levels of nighttime and basic traffic patterns were defined by black metal, while mineral aggregates defined the floor plans, wet areas, and main elevations. Pine wood was used to define the storage areas. The color palette was deliberately reduced to minimum contrast and low saturation to let the materials and textures define the context of the project, redefining the prevailing mountain houses with a rustic country feeling.

Each floor of Redefinition covers an area of approximately 50 square meters. The lower and middle levels feature a shell made of local stone, while the top floor is a log cabin. This combination of materials creates a unique aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the surrounding mountain landscape.

The design team behind Redefinition consisted of Helen Brasinika as the head designer and project manager, Anastasia Rokkou as the senior design technologist and visualizer, Panagiota Brasinika as the metallurgy and advanced materials researcher, and George Vasileiades as the construction team's civil engineer. Their collaboration and expertise were instrumental in bringing this innovative design to life.

The house is spread across three levels, accommodating en-suite bedrooms, guest rooms, bathrooms, and autonomous daytime activities. The design allows for cohabitation and mobility between daytime and nighttime zones, catering to the family's extroverted way of living. Additionally, the space is designed to be flexible, allowing guest families and their children to make creative use of the space at different hours of the day and seasons.

The concept and design development for Redefinition began in July 2012 and was delivered to the customer at the end of November 2012. Throughout the design process, extensive research was conducted on prevailing mountain typologies, the availability of materials in the vicinity, and the reduction of VOC emissions. The design also prioritized sustainability, bioclimatic values, and the reuse of materials to minimize environmental impact.

One of the major challenges faced during the design process was the integration of maximum natural daylight into the existing shell and openings of the house. The design team overcame this challenge by implementing a lighting scheme that utilized only LED lighting sources, emitting a feeling of light candelas with very low light color temperatures.

Redefinition has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious A' Design Award in 2013. This Silver A' Design Award recognizes the project's outstanding expertise, innovation, and remarkable level of excellence. Redefinition showcases the transformative power of materials and introduces a new perspective on mountain living, leaving behind the traditional rustic aesthetic in favor of a more contemporary and sustainable approach.