BATTLE_FIELD
It is a summer house for a private client completed in November 2010 (April 2008 - November 2010). The site is located at the area of Marathon, a city near Athens, next to the spot that “The Battle of Marathon” took place in 490BC. A glimpse at the layout of the Greek army, which led to victory, showed a “Π” shape layout, with weaker center and stronger edges. This “Π” shape was defined as the starting point for designing a perfect symmetrical house, on the flat field in Marathon area. The building evolves in ways of perfect symmetry and mirroring of itself. This symmetry extends to the surrounding field as well.The site is treated in whole as a perfect “Battlefield” of symmetry and order.
“Battlefield” is configured in two main elements, the house and the garden. Each one offers very different functions but in a very symmetrical and coherent way that complete and enhance the connection between the exterior and interior.
The house has two mirrored entrance points, one public and one private that lead to two sections accordingly. In the center, there is a double height living room with a clear view to the pool. The upper floor is composed by four bedrooms, two on each section.
The exterior of the house is comprised in two materials. The ground floor is covered in long, perpendicular, rough stones and the top is finished by grayish plaster.
The garden is developed as an extension of the ground floor, using the stone wall as a repetitive element that creates fields of different activities and cultivation. Here are situated the pool, the BBQ, seating areas, tree & flower fields.
Being on a flat field, allowed us to extend symmetrically and in parallel on the whole, suggesting outdoor spaces of equal importance to the indoor ones that form together strategically a “Battlefield” of living.
