The vacation property in Nea Iraklea, Greece, developed by IPA - Architecture and more as part of the architectural design, includes two single-family houses located directly on the beachfront.
Designed with a clean architectural expression, the houses combine the warmth of natural stone with modernist concrete elements, large windows, and transparent elements in the veranda railings, giving the buildings a distinct sense of style and individuality. The private pools are designed in a clean rectangular form. Integrated planters with vegetation are positioned alongside them, while stair approaches from both sides connect the pools naturally with the vertical courtyard, which is also designed as an inner garden with low grass and abundant greenery.
Traditional roof tiles characteristic of family houses are used for the roofs. The decision to leave open spaces that provide height and freedom for the trees in the courtyard gives individuality not only to the partially pitched roofs but also to the buildings as a whole.
The houses are designed to make maximum use of the interior space, which is broadly divided into two parts. The ground floor provides space for shared moments with family and friends in a spacious living room with direct access to the pool and views of the sea, as well as on the veranda and in the barbecue area. A guest bedroom is also located on the ground floor. The second level is dedicated to relaxation and includes three bedrooms, each with its own walk-in closet and bathroom. A large veranda is also provided on the second floor, creating a transition from the privacy of the home toward the open sea and offering views of the “home of the gods,” Mount Olympus.
The basement level serves not only a practical function, accommodating all building systems, but also includes a steam bath and sauna. The design also retains the option of adding two additional bedrooms on the basement level, with natural light provided through the modeling of the terrain of the vertical courtyard.
