Syros Cliffside Stone Retreat
Kini, Syros, Greece
THE DESIGN CONCEPT
The Syros Cliffside Stone Retreat is an exercise in landscape-integrated architecture. Located on the rocky, wind-swept west coast of Syros, the villa is constructed entirely from stone quarried directly from the building’s foundation, ensuring a perfect geological color match with the surrounding cliffs.
Architectural Narrative
The retreat is organized in a linear arrangement of low-slung pavilions that trace the natural contours of the hillside. By nesting the volumes into the earth, the design creates optimal wind protection against the fierce Cycladic Meltemi winds, while establishing thermal stability.
Each pavilion is connected by a covered outdoor corridor (a modern interpretation of the traditional patio), framed by heavy Corten steel portals that rust naturally in the salty sea air.
Organic Minimalist Interiors
The interior design is intentionally primitive and raw. Floors are covered in an earthy, warm-toned micro-cement screed. Plastering is omitted in favor of exposed dry-stone masonry walls that display the craftsmanship of local stone-masons.
Wide, rimless glass doors slide completely into pocket walls, turning the living area and bedroom suites into open-air terraces. The stone terraces merge seamlessly with a dark concrete pool that reflects the twilight sky like a natural rock basin.
"We designed a house that completely disappears into the dry earth during the day, yet glows like a warm volcanic beacon at night."
VISUAL CHRONICLES
