White Magma by KKMK Architects: Eternal Revival of a House on Santorini

On the calm side of Santorini, White Magma stands as an architectural revival of 2000s housing reimagined by KKMK Architects. Originally a fragmented dwelling from the island's building wave, it has now become an intentional layered composition based on geometry, volcanic stone and Cycladic tradition.

Geometry as the Foundation for Transformation

The project began with an existing skeleton but introduced a new geometric system, redefining circulation and hierarchy. Surrounded by local volcanic stone, the house gains clarity, structural balance and framed views to the horizon.

At its center lies a linear pool, deliberately offset to align the interior with the landscape. The pool acts as both a corrective axis and a spatial bridge connecting domestic life to the volcanic environment.

Open Leisure Rooted in Landscape

White Magma opens into the landscape with a carefully designed exterior topography. A series of stepped terraces includes an open-air cinema, shaded relaxation zones and barbecue area, creating a layered domestic landscape.

Below the slope are semi-underground guest houses, reinterpreting the traditional Cycladic hypskafu in a modern context, respecting heritage without resorting to nostalgia.

For further inspiration, see our article on minimalist Cycladic houses in Greece.

Architecture as Movement and Sequence

The architecture unfolds as a journey of transitions. Movement begins from the street, passes through the entrance, interior, courtyard and ends with a descent to the guest houses. A continuous corridor serves as an axis connecting spaces and creating unity.

This rhythm of movement is not decorative but embedded in the architectural experience, making transitions central elements of the project's language.

Material Precision and Interior Language

The materials are strict yet expressive:

• Local volcanic stone for durability

• White cubic volumes for lightness and balance

• Perforated metal stairs for play of light and shadow

Inside, the atmosphere remains open with carefully defined functional zones. Interiors include custom furniture, built-in shelves, marble from Volakas and handmade beds, creating a tactile language specific to the place.

For similar projects with stone textures, explore modern stone houses.

Dialogue Between Past and Present

Instead of erasing its roots, White Magma builds upon them. The house becomes a layered architecture and integration, rooted in the volcanic setting yet reimagined through deliberate geometry. KKMK Architects transformed previously ordinary housing into an eternal Santorini home that balances legacy and modernity.

Photo © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis ErodimbosPhoto © Ioannis Erodimbos