Platres House

Platres, Limassol, Cyprus

Completed: 2013

The project is a one-of-a-kind residence that at once blends in , and stands out from its natural and man-made surroundings. It is located on a hillside with a sharp incline. The access road is at the highest level of the site. The entrance is at road level, with the residence below. This configuration allows easy access and enhances privacy to the residents. The house links to the road via a bridge. The spaces face away from the road and down the hill with large openings. Verandas and balconies are to one side and open out to the gardens of the residence. Smaller windows are on the side of the house, towards the road, and allow the space to naturally cross-ventilate. The rest of the plot surface is landscaped so as to blend in the landscape and make the most of the plot.

The first envelope comprises the load-bearing structure of metal beams and columns sitting on a concrete slab foundation. The roof is formed of corrugated metal sheet, and the exterior walls are formed of aluminium-framed double glazing, fixed and moving. The glass envelope contains the interior of the house, providing unobstructed views to the outside. Clean, minimal, and technologically advanced, it creates a strong contrast with the second envelope.

The second envelope of concrete tubes is heavy, earthy, low-tech. It provides additional sheltering from the environment, specifically the sun and air, and filters views from and towards the house. The tube walls is where the privacy of the residence ends.

The layout of spaces is linear along the east-west axis. The open plan living area is to the east, providing a dining area, kitchen, and sitting area. Three bedrooms and a study are placed along a corridor-gallery that runs the length of the house. Huge glass doors slide open to the deck veranda that runs outside to the south. The veranda is dispersed with garden pockets, containing small trees and fragrant plants.

To the North is a water corridor that abuts the house. The same large sliding doors open directly to it. The water corridor sets the ambience of the soundscape and influences the light, reflecting it to the interior. The interior benefits from a high degree of thermal insulation thanks to the Envelop system. In the winter the south façade enjoys passive solar gains. An awning above the glass provide shade in the summer and prevent overheating, whilst the concrete tube walls shelter from strong winds. The Envelop 3D system used here is an integrated system with modules for different functions: fixed external walls, sliding and fixed windows, entrance door, all are provided by the system. It is installed in a single continuous track, 76 metres long, without the need for extra framing. The walls contain polystyrene and fibreglass thermal insulation and are sealed externally with white glass. The internal surface is a double layer of plasterboard.

The sliding doors are designed to lock in an open position, small enough to be secure, whilst allowing natural ventilation to all spaces.