Project: Villa by the seaside
Architects: Adrimi & Partners
Location: Kavala, Greece
Area: 6,458 sf
Photographs by: Maria Tsakiri
Villa by the seaside by Stella Adrimi
Stella Adrimi of Adrimi & Partners is an architect based in Kavala, Greece. She has submitted her latest project – a villa by the seaside in one of the most beautiful coastal areas in the Palio district, just outside of Kavala. The design of this 6,500 square foot villa is inspired by the monastic architecture traditional to Greece but it is also built with an A+ energy signature, putting this 10 bedroom villa in accordance with the strictest biotechnology principles.
The villa is situated in the most beautiful seaside plot, in the district of Palio, outside the city of Kavala, in northern Greece.
The energy signature of the villa is A+ and it has been constructed in accordance with the strictest principles of biotechnology, to minimise energy consumption.
The design is inspired by the monastic architecture.
Accessed by the main road of the district, the north face of the building displays minimal openings, to create an air of solitude and privacy. By the entrance, there is a semi-open space with distinct stone arches and decking, leading to the main door, which is made of solid mahogany wood, and displays handmade decorative carvings. Parts of this elevation have been dressed with iroko wood, specifically at the guest area and stairwell.
The south elevation displays grant openings, to take account of the uninterrupted sea views. The biggest opening is the window of the lower living space; 5m by 3.5m in size, which is designed in the form of a roman arch. The projection of the lower living area gives way to an elevated exterior first floor stone paved veranda.
The outside space and sitting area accommodate a bespoke table made of solid iroko wood, whose design was inspired by a 14th century table found in a monastery in Tuscany. At the rear of the barbeque area, a semi-transparent wall structure has been erected, that displays several arches and has been constructed in marble of the type “California”. Apart from its aesthetic properties, the structure separates the villa from the neighbouring property. The outside area has been landscaped with a variety of natural materials, creating different levels. The materials used, range from traventino gaia antique stone, the byzantine type stone of gaia Ayron, cubical stones in granite, all in earthy colors and shades. The arch was subject to a unique study that indicated a white type stone, to give the impression of its antique, rustic and at the same type asymmetrical character.
One of the most impressive parts of the villa is the area that is created outside the lower living room.
As regards to the interior, the ground floor is mainly an open space containing the kitchen, dining area and living room. The flooring of this area displays the interplay of three different types of marble in earthly colours and shades. The furniture and light fittings are specially selected from different bespoke suppliers, creating a unique character. Some pieces of furniture are custom made and were designed by Stella, specifically for this house. In the kitchen, the furniture come from Italy, supplied by “Aster cuisine”, the top surfaces are made of Corian and the taps are reminiscent of another era. The lower living room sofas are of the chesterfield type, standing on naturally brushed and then darkened oak floorboards. The drawing room with its elegant bookcases is a custom made design, with hand carved oak beams attached to the ceiling. The light fittings were supplied by Mayo and Bover.
Throughout the villa, the different rooms display a character of comfortable elegance and luxury outlined with solid materials such as wood, stone and marble.
Finally, the wine cellar is of unique character, made with small antique type bricks, stone and oak wood beams and furnished with Stella’s specially designed pieces.
The house is being heated by underfloor heating and air conditioning, water to air fan coil units have been installed. The heating loads are being supported by solar energy produced by the solar collectors. Once the solar collectors produce domestic hot water, then the excessive solar energy is being stored to a 1000l buffer tank, which is supplied to the underfloor heating during the winter period. When the house in not inhabited and the heating is turned off, then the heating automation system heats the house by the free solar energy. During the summer months, when the solar energy is abundant, the excessive energy is being returned back to the environment through a fan coil unit.
A PLC has been installed which is programmed especially for this house and the owner can either locally or remotely control the domestic hot water, heating and air-conditioning, through a mobile app.
-Project description and images provided by Adrimi & Partners
Stella Adrimi was born in Thessaloniki, Greece. She holds a BA in Architecture from the University of North London and a postgraduate Diploma in Architecture and humane architecture and design, from the University of Plymouth. She resides in Kavala, Greece and works for the consultancy of engineers “Adrimi and Partners”. Stella specialises in the design and construction of high specification bespoke housing. Each of her creations is based on a detailed architectural study that it is inspired both by her clients’ aspirations as well as the characteristics of the surrounding landscape. In each of her technical and architectural proposals, she intuitively balances the smart design of the exterior and interior with the unique use of latest technology in building construction. She adopts a holistic approach that includes the very important landscaping works that will show each building at its best. Stella works with European suppliers for the construction, inner design and furniture selection, so that each villa is of bespoke and unique character whilst, at the same time, the building fits seamlessly in the post-modern Mediterranean landscape. In creating this unique image for each property she designs, she is not afraid to experiment and to work closely with specialized builders and artisans from different parts of Greece.
