The original vision was to create a unique housing complex for leisure where both the built and natural environment interweave. The unique location and geometry of the plot offers unobstructed views towards sea, mountain and sky as well as the traditional village of Nikiti.
The architectural design concept was based on the use of clean architectural volumes -both one storey and two-storey high- covered with sloping roofs, enclosed by natural stone surfaces.
The main architectural gesture is a natural stone wall forming a folding surface and embracing the living spaces. The folding surface encloses ten private housing units offering a precious privacy. Each one of the houses has a shaded terrace, a private pool and access to a private garden, designed as part of the greater garden area. The big glass facades offer unlimited sea and nature views both from the living room area and the mezzanine, in multiple layers, from the nearby garden to the surrounding hills and the sea. Shading surfaces on the facade and pergolas complete the design.
The housing complex consists of ten houses, in two different size types:
Type A: 51sqm ( 39sqm ground floor and 12sqm mezzanine overlooking the living room) offers an open plan living room and kitchen area, one bedroom on the ground floor, one bedroom area on the mezzanine, a private bathroom with a view to a picturesque atrium, terrace with private pool.
Type B: 41 sqm (29sqm ground floor with 12sqm mezzanine) offers an open plan living room and kitchen area, one bedroom area on the mezzanine (open plan area), a private bathroom with a view to a picturesque atrium, terrace with private pool.
A unique interaction between the natural materials of the buildings and the planted environment is created. Every private villa is accompanied by a private pool and garden area, as part of the entire landscape. More privacy is offered in the garden areas closer to each villa and pool, then boundaries are fading into the natural vegetation of the garden and the nearby hills.
Water heating is provided by solar water heating system installed on the rooftop.Etheres housing complex uses biological wastewater treatment, on a 3-stage process 100% based on plantation.
Rainwater is collected through the 10 rooftops and reused for the garden watering needs of throughout the year.
Greywater and rainwater is reused for secondary use in the building as well as watering needs of the vegetation.
The housing complex Etheres was designed by the architectural studio USEarchitecture based in Thessaloniki - Athens. The construction started in May 2020 and was completed by July 2022. Since July 2022 the housing complex has been operating as a holiday resort.
Construction cost was partially financed by private funds and State subsidy. Total construction cost reached 1.200K €. The construction and project management was realized by ETTA, construction company. Landscape design and plantation by Vitaverde landscape design office.
Suppliers & Contributors:
- Architectural design: USEarchitecture (sign team: Koutsari Maria, Manolaki Antigoni, Portokalis Valerian)
- Construction and Project management, Structural design: ETTA construction company
- Landscape design: Vitaverde
- Electromechanical engineering: Imec (Zopounidis Kontstantinos)
- Kourasanit: Plasters and coatings
- Lazaridis ceramics: Tiles and bathrooms fixtures
- Vasikaridis: Woodworks
- Foiros home: Furnishing
- K2 contract furniture
- Bright lighting
- Pureinox: Metalwork
