FIVE HOUSES AT PARNASSUS MOUNTAIN

ARACHOVA, GREECE – 2013

Parnassus Mountain is a wild landscape with steep peaks, hidden valleys and sweeping vistas, which hosts the largest Ski Center in Greece and the archaeological site of Delphi, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world. The five vacation houses are located near a natural rocky stream, amongst fir and chestnut trees. The challenge here was to design a contemporary building based on the principles of sustainable architecture that blends with its surroundings.

Like a grown-up tree, each house rises three storeys and is cupped off with a timber lean roof covered with green asphaltic tiles, to harmonize with the landscape. While remaining modest in their form, the houses still create dramatically lit interiors that extend out into the landscape. Living areas are on the upper two levels, visually and physically connected to take advantage of unobstructed mountain views while bedrooms, bathrooms and sauna are on the first level. Construction is a combination of timber and concrete. All vertical walls are made out of poured in situ reinforced concrete. The two central wood columns support the roof and the third level, which are entirely timber structure.

The choice of materials reflects the colours and fragrances of nature and the local palette of the traditional villages built over centuries in this place.  Externally the lower level is clad in rough local stone plinths, in a non uniform way as reminiscence of the ancient buildings of the nearby villages. The second and third levels are clad, on three elevations, in chestnut wooden boards, which come from renewable plantations, chosen for its durability and low shrinkage. The north façade has no windows, to offer privacy and protect from the winds, and is completely clad in local stone. Even if traditional materials have been used, the abstraction process grants them a contemporary aesthetic.

The project includes no air-conditioning through appropriate solar orientation and passive ventilation. Extensive use of openings offers cool mountain breezes in summer, while the entirely glazed upper level enhances stack effect and the sense of being out amongst the treetops. Inside, the houses glow warmth and soft. The floors are lined in gnarled chestnut timber, sealed in plant-based oils and beeswax. An energy fireplace that allows heat to be ducted to the whole house maximizes passive heating.Excellent insulation is achieved by half-sinking the sleeping area into the ground, while the use of concrete and special double-mass fir timber in construction keeps the houses thermally stable. A system of Ventilated façade takes diffusive moisture out of the building as well as eliminates water that penetrates the external veneer. In summer, it prevents heat to get into the building, while in winter it is an additional thermal insulator. This tight building envelope, clad in eight centimetres of ecological stone wool insulation brings the house beyond double the standard insulation values. Additionally, rainwater is collected and re-used for the irrigation of gardens, which are also encouraging outdoor social life and activities. The houses provide a cozy retreat when the weather is bad. When it is good, each house opens up to the landscape to bring in light at all different levels.