Atrium House by point27 Architects: Embracing Mediterranean Living with Light, Shadow, and Materiality

The Atrium House by point27 Architects is a masterful interpretation of Mediterranean living, where indoor and outdoor spaces coexist in harmony. Conceived to celebrate natural light, shadows, and tactile materials, the residence embodies a serene yet powerful architectural presence. Designed in 2023, this 400-square-meter home in Thessaloniki, Greece, reflects a deep understanding of context, climate, and lifestyle.

Design Concept: Light, Shadow, and Open Living

The core design philosophy centers on balancing indoor and outdoor living, a hallmark of the Mediterranean lifestyle. The architects emphasized clean geometrical forms and volumetric clarity, while nuanced attention to material textures and detailing fosters a calm, inviting atmosphere. The L-shaped layout of the building frames a pool terrace, together forming a complete rectangular composition that unites structure and landscape.

The house’s street-facing façades are solid and introverted, offering privacy and protection from public view. In contrast, the inner façades are fully glazed, establishing a fluid visual connection with the pool terrace and panoramic city views. Recessed openings and sliding shading louvers provide solar control and privacy, while their vertical rhythm complements the fluted stone textures, creating a tactile and visually rich surface.

Site Strategy: Privacy and Panorama

The topography of the site presented unique challenges. Public road regulations limited the possibility of extensive fencing, prompting an introverted street-side façade with minimal openings. Conversely, the poolside and terrace fully embrace openness, capturing expansive views of Thessaloniki. This strategic orientation creates a private oasis, while the residence maintains a strong connection with its natural and urban surroundings.

Spatial Organization: Atrium-Centered Flow

Atrium House is organized around three distinct outdoor spaces:

1. Pool Terrace – Featuring extensive cantilevered canopies, the terrace acts as a social and recreational hub.
2. Two Internal Atria – Each adorned with olive trees, these green pockets bring filtered natural light into the interior, creating visual focal points and a sense of tranquility.

The upper level is smaller and reserved for two children’s bedrooms. An enclosed terrace extends this upper volume, offering private outdoor space with adjustable shading that frames selective city views, enhancing both privacy and comfort.

Materiality: Texture, Light, and Structure

Material choices play a central role in shaping the character of Atrium House:

• Beige Local Stone – Used extensively for façades, its vertical fluted finish offers a tactile quality and dynamic interaction with sunlight.
• Exposed Concrete Bands – Horizontal concrete elements with visible formwork and shadow gaps delineate volumes and anchor the building to the site.

The architects masterfully manipulate concrete massing: the base is thin on the street side and thickens towards the pool, while cantilevered canopies taper in reverse, making the upper volume appear lighter and reducing the building’s visual impact on its surroundings.

Sustainable and Contextual Design

Atrium House reflects a thoughtful response to its Mediterranean climate, maximizing natural light while maintaining thermal comfort. By incorporating green atria, strategic shading, and tactile materials, the design achieves a balance of openness, privacy, and sensory richness. Every architectural element—from fluted stone façades to cantilevered canopies—contributes to a living environment that is as functional as it is poetic.

All photographs are works of Mariana Bisti