Alexis Papadopoulos Architectural Practice Designs a Beautiful House in the Shadow of Kolossi Castle

Alexis Papadopoulos Architectural Practice has completed the design of a beautiful house in the area of Kolossi Castle in Cyprus, drawing inspiration from the traditional koulas typology. The compact form and small openings of koulas, medieval watchtowers/turrets, served as the main inspiration for the project, resulting in a residence with two levels of indoor space and a third level without a roof that operates as a roof garden, offering a room open to the sky.

Harmoniously Blending with Nature

The building volumes and outdoor spaces were carefully designed around the pre-existing olive trees, blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings. The living room is submerged into the surrounding garden, while the bedroom hovers above it, providing stunning views of the landscape. A secondary linear volume, expanding the functional spaces of the ground floor, differentiates itself in form and materiality, emphasizing the height of the main volume and its dynamic presence.

Revolutionary Construction Techniques

The intention for monolithic facades in the internal and external walls of the main volume has led to the exploration of new construction methodologies. The chosen technique was prefabricated double walls in reinforced concrete, cast with robotic control in metal molds that give a perfectly smooth surface. The walls were then assembled on site with a crane within three days. The thermal insulation and various services, specifically designed for each space, are located between the two sides of the concrete walls.

A Distinct Interior Environment

The natural textures and special technical construction characteristics of the concrete and wood materials used for the structure are reflected in the interior spaces. The walls of the main volume remain in concrete, while the walls of the secondary volume are clad in wood. The fixed furniture, painted in a striking red color in the main volume, enhances the material contrasts of the spaces, creating an intense and lively atmosphere. Lighting fixtures follow the same color tones, forming a unified spatial sense.

The Small But Beautiful House

Alexis Papadopoulos Architectural Practice has successfully created a small but beautiful house, integrating traditional typologies and construction techniques with modern design elements. The choice of materials, careful consideration of the natural surroundings, and attention to detail have resulted in a unique and striking residential building. This beautiful house is a testament to the skill and creativity of the architects who designed it.

 The Kolossi Castle residence is a beautiful and unique work of architecture that exemplifies the vision and talent of Alexis Papadopoulos Architectural Practice. With its combination of traditional elements and innovative design, this residence is a true testament to the art of building and an inspiration for future architects and designers. Its success is due not only to its aesthetic appeal, but also to the careful attention paid to the functional needs of the occupants and the environment. It is a true gem of contemporary residential design and a wonderful addition to the architectural landscape of Cyprus.

Project Name: The Koulas Project

Gross Built Area: 170 m2

Location: Kolossi, Cyprus

Program: Residential

Completion Year: 2021

Office Name:Alexis Papadopoulos Architectural Practice

Lead Architects: Alexis Papadopoulos, Maria Protou

Website: https://alexispapadopoulos.com/

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/alexispapadopoulosarchhttps://instagram.com/alexispapadopoulosarch

Contact email: alexis@alexispapadopoulos.com

Firm Location: Limassol, Cyprus

Architects Team: Alexis Papadopoulos (alexis@alexispapadopoulos.com), Despo AnagiotouMaria Protou (maria@alexispapadopoulos.com), Laoura Tziourrou

Civil Engineer: Costas Constantinou (costas@innovarch-engineers.com)

Mechanical Engineer: Costas Moyses

Contractor: Innovative Construction Solutions (info@icscyprus.com, patsalos@icscyprus.com)

Subcontractor (concrete structure): Prohellas (info@prohellas.gr)

Woodworks: Antonis Eliades

Lighting fixtures provider: Ioannides Lighting (vasilis@ioannideslighting.com.cy)

Wooden furniture and wooden lightings: Lovenlight (navid@lovenlight.eu)

Photo Credits: Mariana BistiWebsite: https://www.marianabisti.com/

Contact email: me@marianabisti.com

Photoshoot set design: Elena Kotasvili