HOMA VAGIA, SERIFOS ISLAND, CYCLADES
Designed by Mold Architects, a Greek firm founded in 2011 by the enterprising
Iliana Kerestetzi, HOMA is a small 180 m² boutique hotel located in Vagia on
the southern part of Serifos Island in the Cyclades. It features three separate
units, each with 2 bedrooms and a small lounge.
The outdoor spaces, proportionally much larger than the indoor areas,
include kitchens, living/dining areas, and private pools for each unit. The project was designed for an area associated with intense mining operations
related to iron ore extraction and features large flat surfaces acting as manmade
extensions to the sloping land.
The project, primarily dug into the ground, is inspired by remnants of
mining constructions scattered across the area and the existence of a 'supplementary
living level', an extensive underground space, and a cultural legacy of great
importance.
Drawing on the natural contours of the land, the architectural designers
have created two sloping structured set in the landscape that form two flat
platforms where the accommodation facilities are located (one on the first platform
and two on the second).
Each accommodation unit is slightly rotated to provide privacy and
varying views across the sea. Access to the units is from the roof along stairs that create an entrance
to 'new living quarters' underground.
By removing right-angled structures orthogonal to
the planes opens up patios, pools and staircases in a combination solids and
voids allowing natural light to flow in. The earthy mineral pigment of the plaster, shiny white
concrete furniture, wood and natural stone creating the building frame
underling the monolithic nature of a design
based around sculpting the natural terrain.
Project: Mold architects - Iliana Kerestetzi; Design team: Iliana Kerestetzi, Konstantinos Vlachoulis, Maria Vretou; Stuctural design: Technodynamics; MEP design: Agapakisconsultants; Lighting design: IFI group; Photographer: Panagiotis Voumvakis
