House in Sikanino by Tense Architecture Network in Greece

Project: House in Sikanino Architects: Tense Architecture Network Location: Sikanino, Greece Photographs by: Philippo Poli

House in Sikanino by Tense Architecture Network

The House in Sikanino by Tense Architecture Network is a unique dwelling in Greece distinguished by its elongated roof, which also serves as a walking area. This rhombus-shaped roof is the central living space, while sleeping rooms are located at the edges. The house includes a basement level supporting an agricultural lifestyle with a concrete facade, iron frames, blinds and shutters.

The field is elongated, rural and planted with olive trees. The land dominates. –How can a dwelling arise from the earth, how can it be bounded by a roof? A dwelling is its roof. Sixty meters long. Approaching the site, it can be seen as a slight elevation of the earth's crust before the distant Evvoe mountains. It can be circumvented. The roof emerges from the earth and returns to it; it is also planted: helonium, rosmarinum, lavender, gaura, thyme. The roof shape is rhombic, the living space lies under its central and widest part, while sleeping rooms are located at the edges.

The composition aims to closely connect the house with its elongated territory. An additional fully underground level was added to meet increased demands of an agricultural lifestyle. A curved driveway enters the rhombus transversely, creating an opening to the cultivated part of the field. The building shell is reinforced concrete, open on roof and walls. Iron frames, sunscreens blinds and metal shutters eliminate the sense of transparency. Sculptural clarity of the extended concrete roof is achieved through inverting all beams except one that abuts the central column: the fire. The house is nominated for the European Prize for Contemporary Architecture, the Mies van der Rohe Award 2013.

–Tense Architecture Network