Constructing an Earth-sheltered mountain dwelling on a steep, rugged Greek island well-known for its wild, untouched magnificence was no simple feat.
The purpose was to design a home that might deal with harsh climate whereas mixing seamlessly into the pure panorama.
The island’s towering cliffs and robust northern winds made it appear virtually not possible to reside there.
Nonetheless, architect George Sinas noticed potential, whereas others noticed solely challenges.
“It doesn’t really feel proper to have one thing stand out and say, you realize, I’m right here!” George stated.
The purpose was clear: construct an eco-friendly stone home that revered the land and stored the island’s wild attraction intact.
The turning level: Drawing from historical past and nature
The design took inspiration from historical traditions.
“Xerolithi” means “dry stone,” a nod to the Cycladic island’s outdated mortarless stone partitions used for farming terraces.
The stones for the house have been sourced instantly from the positioning excavation, matching the colour and texture of the mountain itself.
As a substitute of digging deep into the earth, the home was “pulled out after which lined,” creating an invisible mountain retreat that flows with the land’s pure slope.
George defined, “The stone that’s been used for the home is especially produced by the excavation.”
Native supplies tied the home visually and bodily to its environment, creating a really trendy Cycladic dwelling that honors its roots.
The transformation into an Earth-sheltered mountain dwelling
The home was examined by hearth when a wildfire swept the island.
Whereas surrounding vegetation have been burned to ash, the stone construction remained untouched.
“If there was a pergola like those you see right here, that was burned and the stonehouse stayed,” George famous.
The design embraces the island’s wind. The house’s undulating partitions and curved roofs observe the panorama, and its thick earthen cowl supplies insulation and shelter.
The bamboo ceiling inside, pinned individually in a singular fishbone sample, provides heat and character, displaying that eco-friendly supplies might be lovely and useful.
“We did the identical right here as nicely. If you happen to discover, there’s no mortar between the stones,” stated George.
This earth-sheltered mountain house is each a fortress and a pure murals.
Contained in the Earth-sheltered mountain dwelling: Design and luxury
The house spans 180 sq. meters, together with a visitor cottage related seamlessly via the identical dry stone approach.
The format prioritizes communal areas over bedrooms, reflecting a life-style centered round gathering.
The primary residing area flows brazenly, with intelligent air flow methods utilizing a number of doorways and home windows to seize cooling sea breezes.
“If the wind is from the again, you open a bit bit from the again and you then open all the pieces from the entrance after which this creates a draft,” George defined.
Pure gentle fills the house via rigorously positioned gentle wells, countering the heaviness of stone.
The roof is roofed by not less than 1.5 meters of earth and wild vegetation, serving to the home mix into the mountain and offering pure insulation.
Options of the eco-friendly stone home
Privateness and subtlety information the design; the entrance door is hidden, making certain guests respect the area’s calm.
Twin verandas present sheltered choices to benefit from the open air regardless of sturdy winds, reflecting the island’s ever-changing climate.
The kitchen, built-in with the residing and eating areas, stays a heat hub for household and visitors, emphasizing social connection.
The loos proceed the house’s natural really feel, with curved cement partitions and playful particulars like a faucet instantly from the ceiling.
The showers are low-maintenance, designed to let water circulation freely, in keeping with the home’s naturalistic spirit.
Ultimate reflections: A house that grows with the land
This Earth-sheltered mountain house is greater than shelter—it’s a celebration of place.
It makes use of native stone, bamboo, and age-old development strategies to create an invisible mountain retreat that honors the island’s historical past and fierce nature.
“It seems handmade… You’d see the particular person right here together with his instruments spreading the fabric,” a customer noticed. Embracing imperfections, George stated, “The error is at all times good… You need it to occur. Yeah, embrace it, it’s a residing home.”
As the home slowly emerges and vanishes into the panorama, it reminds us of our small place within the huge pure world. “
The background makes you’re feeling so small, so minuscule and unimportant,” one observer stated, capturing the standard great thing about this eco-friendly stone home.
This house is a hopeful instance of how trendy Cycladic properties can mix custom and innovation, providing sustainable, lovely residing in concord with nature.
Watch the video under to take a surprising tour of George’s Earth-sheltered mountain dwelling:
Don’t overlook to subscribe to Kirsten Dirksen’s YouTube channel for extra inspiring tiny home tales.
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