K-Studio pairs stone with concrete for Greek holiday home

K-Studio has designed Southwand House, a holiday home located in the Navarino Dunes resort area of Costa Navarino, Messinia, Greece. This architectural project integrates vertical stone walls with horizontal concrete planes, creating a dwelling that blends modernist aesthetics with traditional regional influences. The stone, sourced from local quarries, is prominently featured both on the exterior and interior, providing a textured contrast to the smooth concrete roof slabs. The design of Southwand House draws inspiration from the stone "tower houses" prevalent in the Messinia region, known for their monumental stone structures. The architects sought to create an interplay between these rough-hewn vertical elements and the sleek horizontal concrete, fostering a sense of seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. This combination blurs boundaries and allows for a feeling of outdoor lightness within the interior, while offering a sense of protection when outdoors. The house occupies a linear plot with significant natural surroundings, including a sea view to the southwest, an olive grove to the north, and a golf course to the southeast. At the core of the design is a central courtyard featuring an established olive tree, which serves to divide the floor plan into two distinct halves. The east side of the house accommodates communal living areas, while four bedrooms are situated on the west side and the first floor. K-Studio’s design philosophy for Southwand House emphasizes a fluid living experience, enabling various daily activities such as cooking, showering, lounging, and exercising to occur in both indoor and outdoor settings. The studio aimed to reflect the organic complexity of Messinian folk architecture, which often features irregularly-shaped stone volumes, courtyards, and passages. To achieve this, they developed a system of orthogonal modules that, when juxtaposed, generate intricate relationships through negative spaces, courtyards, and pathways. The southern end of the building is designed to open up, with the living and dining rooms, as well as an adjacent bedroom, leading out to terraces. A swimming pool extends from these outdoor spaces, wrapping around them and offering views towards the sea. The pool's stepped base provides varying depths, catering to diverse preferences. Southwand House is part of a series of projects by K-Studio, founded by brothers Dimitris and Konstantinos Karampatakis, in scenic Greek locations. Previous works include Villa Mandra in Mykonos, the Manna hotel in Arcadia, and the Liknon visitor centre in Samos. The name "Southwand" is derived from the practice of seeking warmth by resting against a south-facing wall on a sunny day, symbolizing a comfortable and active model of living that harmonizes with its natural environment and promotes social interaction. #HolidayHomes #GreekArchitecture #StoneConstruction #ConcreteDesign #KStudio #Messinia #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #CoastalLiving #HolidayHomes #GreekArchitecture #StoneConstruction #ConcreteDesign #KStudio #Messinia #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #CoastalLiving