This house located in a small, secluded rocky cove in Greece is an example of how a modern building can seamlessly blend with the natural environment. To create a sheltered refuge that also takes advantage of the stunning views while being protected from the strong northern winds, the architects decided to drill into the hillside rather than building a set of ground-level spaces.

The result is a unique rectangular grid that produces a three-dimensional "checkerboard" of solids and voids that both accommodate and isolate the rooms of the residence. One diagonally positioned side wall provides the living area with a more open view.

Longitudinal walls of dry stone delimit and protect the interior and exterior spaces. They serve as vertical borders, leading the visitor's gaze to the horizon. In contrast to the walls, the transverse facades are light, made of glass and can be fully opened. The front is open to the east view, while the rear windows frame internal gardens, improving air circulation and letting light into the residence.

The use of front and rear openings for lighting and ventilation, a planted flat roof, adequate insulation, as well as energy-efficient glass panels, adds excellent bioclimatic features to the house. The residence is divided into three levels: bedrooms, living rooms, and a guesthouse. The first two communicate internally, while the guesthouse is independent. A built-in staircase connects the three levels externally and leads to the main entrance, located in the living room loft.

Descending into the interior of the house reveals the initially hidden spaces of the residence, framing a view from two sides: a visual exit to the sea during descent and an exit to the sky during ascent. The buried areas are "negative" spaces resulting from the separation and removal of part of the rock. This rough feeling of a natural cavity was recreated with the choice of materials and color palette, including stone, exposed concrete, wood, and metal, to create rustic internal shells.

Sun protection elements on the facades produce shadow patterns. Paired with large reflective mirror surfaces, they create an interesting atmosphere in the private areas of the residence. These pergolas seem to float detached from the surface, denoting the physical aspect of the house, which integrates with the landscape yet maintains a dynamic presence. The result is a house that is both underground and open, airy, and full of light.

Project Name: nCAVED House
Architects: MOLD Architects
Year: 2020
Location: Serifos, Greece
Area: 340 sqm
Builder: Mold architects
Structural Engineer: Studio 265
Mechanical Engineer: Team M-H
Lighting Design: Nikos Andrianopoulos
Metal Constructions: qoop
Photographers: Yiorgis Yerolymbos, Panagiotis Voumvakis

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Uplifting Anthem