House Z

Challenges

Creating a residence in a location with strong natural elements is always a big challenge. In an olive grove in the north-eastern part of the island of Corfu, this challenge turned into an opportunity to design a house that is in line with the outside environment and that inspires you with its minimal lines.

Solution

House Z gave architect Maria Doxa the perfect "canvas" to "paint" a villa using the "colors" of the hills of Corfu and the Ionian Sea. In the structure of the building, three long volumes are distinguished. The lowest volume of stone is at the back of the site and maintains the slope of the surface.

The other two smaller volumes are complementary - one above the stone and the other in front of it - forming the structure, in order to create the Z shape, hence the name of the project. It is worth noting that the building is designed in such a way that the movement inside it follows the Z shape, just as the wind follows the same Z "visiting" the hill across the coast. Looking at house Z from afar, it seems as if someone planted it inside an olive grove, in the most friendly and respectful way towards the outside environment.

One of the most impressive elements of House Z is its pool. Its water level reaches the border of the hill and seeing it from the inside, creates the visual continuity of the pool with the sea. Another element, characteristic of House Z, are the wide courtyard doors with sliding downstairs, enabling a sense of unity between the outdoor and indoor environment and reinforcing the natural light of the residence and the unobstructed view of the sea. In the interior of the house, simplicity and straight lines provide the required serenity.

The different materials are combined with each other harmoniously. From the concrete wall surfaces of the upper floor to the details of the wood, everything is in line with the initial vision of minimalism and serenity.

House Z is a modern mansion that combines comfort with simplicity and contemporary design with natural landscape. This is a building of high standards, which at its core has human elements and its interaction with nature.