On the west coast of Chalkidiki’s Kassandra, overlooking the Aegean Sea, one can find the ‘Grounded House’, a country retreat, situated on a plot of 4,4 acres. This inclined piece of land is bordered by a forest area at its northwest side. Following the topography, the house is perched close to the highest peak of the terrain, affording the outmost of the views to the sea and staying close to the forest’s wild vegetation. Alongside, this dynamic choice offers the house more privacy, situated far from the road entrance. One needs to either drive or walk the long pebbled private road to reach the property.
‘Grounded House’ is organised in a single story layout. All rooms are set on the southwest side, relishing the nice views and featuring a direct access to the outdoor space and pool, that elegantly blends with the sea. Secondary uses, like bathrooms, storage rooms and pantry, are situated at the rear of the house. They also connect to the outdoor backspace that loops around, leading to the front. The semi-outdoor kitchen space is sheltered by a wood-en roof with terracota tiles. The rest of the front rooms are sun-protected by wooden pergolas.
The character of the house is shaped by its materiality and the way it rede-fines its architectural heritage. Trying to act as a connecting bridge between human and nature, the materials used meet the maximum level of sustain-ability. Stone, wood and kourasani are the primary choices, terracota, steel, pebbles and soil follow - all sourced onsite or from the local market.