Two Residences in Ekali

The 1007m² (10.839 ft²) property, located in Athens’ northern suburb Ekali (Greece), has access to two streets with a mean of 3,60m (11,81 ft) of height difference between them.

The wish of the client was to build two houses on the plot.
We had to guarantee full independence of the two residences.

The site’s orientation (long sides facing southwest and northeast) and the concern for an optimal utilization of the remaining free space, when applying the houses’ footprint on it, led us to the composition of an oblong building with the two houses appearing as a single structure.

The dropping line of the profile of their single-pitch roofs, following the inclination of the plot, intensifies this impression.

The access ways for pedestrians and vehicles are set parallel to the northeastern side of the buildings. This side shows a more hermetic façade with small openings. The ramps to the garages in the basements are located here.

On the southwestern side wide loggias open to the garden and swimming pool.
They offer protection against cold winter winds and from direct sunlight during summer, while at the same time being natural extensions of the living room.

Despite the axial symmetry of their floor plans, the two residences differ in character.

The living rooms are located in the residences’ ground-floors.
The upper floors include the parents’ and the children’s bedrooms.

The structure of the houses consists of reinforced concrete with brick infills.

The roof sides are cladded with zinc sheets in grey and red colour, while the roof itself is covered with bituminous granule-coated shingles.

The railings, as well as the pedestrian and vehicle gates, are made of stainless steel.

Red limestone was used for the outer lining of the fireplaces and red marble for the entrance steps.

The floors are covered with ceramic tiling and oak wood.
The inner window frames and all wall boardings are also made of oak wood.

Both residences are equipped with underfloor heating, each one having its own boiler room in the basement.

The project was presented in the exhibition
Architectural Awards 2008 (April to June 2009
– presented as award nominees),
which took place in the Benaki Museum in Athens
and was organized by the Hellenic Institute of Arhitecture (EIA).