A sequence of frequent connections led to the start of this Filothei home for a personal consumer within the leafy, prosperous Athens neighbourhood. Set in a typical rectangular plot, this train in restraint and spatial mastery, by London- and LA-based structure studio Kallos Turin, happened thanks to non-public assortment curator and adviser Emily Tsingou, a standard pal and collaborator of each the architect and the consumer, who has an in depth modern African and African American artwork assortment.
Then it turned out this wasn’t the one connection between them because it quickly got here to mild that Kallos Turin co-founder Stephania Kallos’ grandfather had been in enterprise with the consumer’s grandfather for about 40 years in South Africa. Extra connections had been later found, and the undertaking began to really feel like a pairing that was meant to be.
Filothei Home: take the video tour
After a go to to the positioning, Kallos and follow co-founder Abby Turin discovered themselves making an attempt to decipher the Greek planning codes with the assistance of Moustroufis Architects, who acted because the native follow in the course of the construct. At this level, it regarded like their design ambitions had been in peril of being thwarted by the planning laws, which, created to protect the garden-based, inexperienced character of the suburb, ‘had been made to push you to nearly a block form,’ says Kallos. ‘We thought, we have to embrace it.’
(Picture credit score: Giorgos Sfakianakis)
The positioning is angled, with the primary road and entrance at its base. The architects pushed the home up the hill in direction of the rear finish of the plot, leaving sufficient area for a courtyard backyard with views of the mountain and nature reserve on the again. The property’s quantity was designed to occupy the complete buildable space, benefiting from what was obtainable, whereas inside, ‘the confines made us be fairly environment friendly,’ says Turin. ‘Every part is used. It’s a rigorously managed floorplan.’
(Picture credit score: Ricardo Labougle)
‘Whereas we embraced the block, we additionally selected to press again in opposition to the rigidity of its form, introducing curves into the quantity particularly alongside the paths of journey,’ Turin continues. The group additionally labored with Athens follow Doxiadis+, who created the out of doors planting and landscaping. ‘We wished to ensure the backyard would act as a foil to the concrete type in order that there was a dynamic interaction between the density and rigidity of concrete and the looseness of the backyard.’ Designed as an natural, pure surroundings, the landscaped plot has now grown right into a veritable wildflower meadow.
(Picture credit score: Ricardo Labougle)
The inside, in the meantime, was designed as a comfy household base, in addition to a spot to deal with the consumer’s artwork assortment, which has been put collectively over a few years. ‘The magical factor about concrete is that it has texture and a tactile high quality,’ says Kallos. ‘It’s a tough materials however with depth and even some luminosity. We had been excited to make use of it for a house, however, much more so, to discover its qualities in relation to the gallery partitions.’ It was additionally conceived as an area for entertaining, as displayed by the home’s meticulously deliberate kitchen, which takes satisfaction of place overlooking among the property’s greatest views over the Athens skyline, mountain and courtyard. Subsequent to it sits a beneficiant pantry.
(Picture credit score: Ricardo Labougle)
The circulation throughout all 4 flooring and the home’s 1,100 sq m footprint was key within the inside association. A curvilinear path leads from the backyard entrance to the entrance door after which progresses by way of the home by way of a curved concrete stairway. The bottom degree homes the primary bed room suite, fitness center and visitor room. A decrease degree incorporates an artwork gallery, whereas the primary flooring homes the primary dwelling area and kitchen. An exterior staircase mirrors the geometry of the inside one, and takes guests as much as the roof terrace and pool (the proper spot for al fresco eating utilizing the on-site Argentinian-style barbecue).
(Picture credit score: Ricardo Labougle)
This can be a beneficiant home that feels heat and welcoming, due to the architects’ intelligent use of curves and ceiling heights (‘our refined revolt in opposition to the field,’ jokes Turin). A collection of Greek and imported marbles line areas of the home, similar to the primary toilet, contrasting fantastically with the uncovered concrete. And past the artwork gallery, the home was additionally designed to incorporate niches and partitions the place quite a lot of non-specific work or sculptures can sit. It’s a fastidiously orchestrated piece of structure that works onerous for its dimension, and is filled with surprises. ‘The consumer stated they wished one thing outdoors the field,’ say the architects with a smile.
kallosturin.com
Video by Ronny Skevis, ronnyskevis.com
Supply: Wallpaper