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Villa Atlas Summer Villa by Vasilis Siafaricas

Villa Atlas Summer Villa by Vasilis Siafaricas is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 Bronze A' Design Award in Sustainable Products, Projects and Green Design Competition Category.


BronzeSustainable Product· 2024

Villa Atlas Summer Villa

by Vasilis Siafaricas

Client: Eclede

Bronze A' Design Award Winner in Sustainable Product Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #160391

Colors

The Design

About Villa Atlas Summer Villa

Atlas and Pleione are located on a seafront land plot in the picturesque natural harbor Sivota, on the island of Lefkada, in Greece. It is a complex of two subterranean villas and a subterranean guest house. Atlas Villa is 30 meters from the ocean water, and Pleione Villa is 50 meters away. The minimalistic design of all the villas, the austere architectural lines, the green roves, and the long windows blend functionality, luxury, and sustainability flawlessly. The estate boasts a unique, environmentally friendly design, custom-made interiors, and three vast swimming pools.

The Recognition

About the Bronze A' Design Award

Villa Atlas Summer Villa is a Bronze A' Design Award winner, a highly prestigious recognition granted to outstanding designs distinguished by creativity, ingenuity, and astuteness. Bronze winners are amply skillful and strikingly creative artifacts that authenticate the vast experience, imagination, and resourcefulness of their designers. Villa Atlas Summer Villa is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished object that is notably professional and innovative. This Bronze A' Design Award-winning design incorporates best practices in art, science, design, and technology, and is excellent for its attention to detail. Villa Atlas Summer Villa splendidly satisfies needs, touches desires, charms feelings, and appeals to curiosity.

Interviews

Grand Interview

Your innovative approach to subterranean architecture in Villa Atlas Summer Villa, particularly the integration of green roofs and oceanfront positioning, sets new standards for sustainable luxury. Could you elaborate on how these design elements contribute to both environmental performance and aesthetic appeal?

The incorporation of green roofs in the design of Villa Atlas serves multiple purposes, both environmentally and aesthetically. From an environmental performance standpoint, green roofs enhance insulation and reduce the energy consumption required to heat and cool the villas. They act as a natural barrier, preventing heat loss in the winter and minimizing heat gain in the summer. Furthermore, green roofs contribute to stormwater management by absorbing rainwater, which reduces runoff and the risk of flooding in the surrounding area.Aesthetically, the green roofs seamlessly blend the villas with their natural surroundings, creating a harmonious relationship between architecture and landscape. This integration not only enhances the property's visual appeal but also provides residents with lush outdoor spaces that promote biodiversity and improve air quality. The vibrant greenery is a natural extension of the villas, offering a tranquil retreat and a connection to nature.The strategic positioning of Villa Atlas on a rocky oceanfront plot further elevates both its environmental performance and aesthetic appeal. The proximity to the ocean allows for natural cooling breezes, which help regulate the indoor climate and reduce reliance on mechanical ventilation systems. Additionally, the villas are designed to maximize views of the sea, incorporating large energy-efficient glass panels that invite natural light while minimizing energy loss.The oceanfront location provides breathtaking panoramic views that enhance the living experience. The design capitalizes on the beauty of the surrounding landscape, allowing residents to enjoy the calming sights and sounds of the ocean. The integration of water features, such as the stunning swimming pools and waterfall, draws inspiration from the natural environment, further enriching the villas' overall aesthetic and sensory experience.In summary, the innovative design elements of green roofs and oceanfront positioning in Villa Atlas contribute to its sustainability and energy efficiency and create a visually stunning and harmonious living environment. These features exemplify how modern architecture can respect and enhance the natural landscape while providing luxurious and functional living spaces.

The mythological inspiration behind Villa Atlas Summer Villa, drawing from Atlas and Pleione, is beautifully represented in details like the Pleiades asterism fiber optic lighting in the swimming pool. How did this mythological narrative influence other aspects of your architectural and interior design decisions?

The myth of Atlas and Pleione, especially the story of the Pleiades—a cluster of stars associated with Atlas's seven daughters—was a significant source of inspiration during the design process of the Villa Atlas Summer Villa. This narrative not only enhanced the aesthetic elements of the project but also shaped the overall vision and philosophy guiding the architectural design.The mythological narrative emphasizes themes of strength, protection, and beauty. Atlas, known for bearing the weight of the heavens, symbolizes resilience and stability. This influence is reflected in the villas' structural integrity, designed to seamlessly blend with the rocky landscape while providing a safe and secure environment for its inhabitants. The design evokes a sense of shelter and protection, reminiscent of Atlas's role in mythology.The Pleiades, often associated with guidance and navigation, inspired various design elements, including the fiber optic lighting in the swimming pool. For instance, the use of ambient lighting throughout the villas aims to create an ethereal atmosphere reminiscent of a starry night sky. Thoughtful placement of windows and skylights allows natural light to filter in, simulating the twinkling of stars during the day, while strategically placed artificial lighting creates a celestial ambiance at night.The narrative also influenced the choice of materials and finishes. Just as the Pleiades are a natural phenomenon, we chose to incorporate materials that resonate with the environment. The use of Carrara, Vratsa, and Mugla marbles in the bathrooms, along with granite tiles for flooring, reflects the elegance and purity associated with the stars. The textures were carefully curated to evoke a sense of connection to the earth and sky, bridging the gap between luxury and nature.The villas are designed to create a seamless interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces, mirroring the connection between the celestial and terrestrial realms. The integration of green roofs and outdoor living areas serves to connect residents with their natural surroundings, just as the stars in the night sky remind us of the vast universe above. This design philosophy promotes a lifestyle that is in tune with nature, embodying the spirit of both Atlas and Pleione.In mythology, Pleione is often associated with nurturing and care for her daughters. This maternal aspect influenced the design of personalized spaces within the villas, ensuring that each area feels inviting and warm. The layout includes comfortable living areas, private retreats, and communal spaces that foster connection among inhabitants, creating a nurturing atmosphere that reflects Pleione's essence.The mythological inspiration derived from Atlas and Pleione profoundly informed our architectural and interior design decisions, resulting in a luxurious yet sustainable environment that embodies strength, beauty, and a harmonious connection to nature.

The development of Villa Atlas Summer Villa on rocky, oceanfront terrain presented unique engineering challenges. Could you share the specific technical solutions your team implemented to ensure proper insulation, ventilation, and humidity control while maintaining the minimalist architectural vision?

Before commencing construction, comprehensive geotechnical studies were conducted to understand the rocky terrain and its implications for building stability and drainage. This analysis informed our design approach, allowing us to identify the best structural solutions that would accommodate the natural landscape while minimizing disruption.To address the insulation challenges posed by the rocky environment, we utilized a combination of advanced insulation materials and techniques. High-performance thermal insulation was applied to the walls and roofs, ensuring that both heat retention and temperature regulation were optimized. Specifically, we employed rigid foam insulation that provides excellent thermal resistance while being lightweight, which was crucial for maintaining the minimalist design ethos.The integration of green roofs not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the villas but also contributes significantly to insulation. The soil and vegetation layer acts as a natural insulator, reducing heat loss in winter and minimizing heat gain in summer. This dual-purpose approach aligns with our sustainability goals while maintaining the sleek architectural lines of the minimalist design.Maximizing natural light was a key consideration in our design approach. We incorporated large energy-efficient glass panels and skylights that facilitate daylight penetration while minimizing thermal bridging. These features not only contribute to a bright and inviting atmosphere but also reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day, supporting our commitment to sustainability.Given the proximity to the ocean, humidity control was critical. We integrated a dehumidification system that works in conjunction with our HVAC system, allowing us to monitor and maintain optimal humidity levels throughout the year. Additionally, the use of breathable materials in construction helps prevent moisture buildup within the walls, ensuring a healthy indoor environment.Throughout the process, we remained committed to our minimalist architectural vision. This meant using clean lines and uncluttered spaces without compromising functionality. Each design element was carefully selected to align with the overall aesthetic while serving a practical purpose, thereby ensuring that the technical solutions seamlessly integrated into the visual narrative of the villas.The development of Villa Atlas Summer Villa on rocky, oceanfront terrain required a multifaceted approach to engineering challenges related to insulation, ventilation, and humidity control. By leveraging advanced materials, innovative systems, and thoughtful design, we successfully created a luxurious subterranean living environment that embodies both sustainability and minimalist elegance. Our goal was to ensure that these technical solutions not only optimized the performance of the villas but also enhanced the overall living experience for the residents.

Read the Full Interview

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Atlas project is an ultra-modern low energy consumption subterranean villa on Greece's Lefkada Island. This minimalistic design villa blends luxury and sustainability flawlessly. Inspired by the myth of Atlas and Pleione, the estate boasts unique design, custom-made interiors, and three vast swimming pools, including a stunning waterfall and an endless swimming mechanism. Three-meter ceilings, energy-efficient glass panels, heat pumps, and A plus aluminum frames combined with the breathtaking views create beautiful scenery on this lovely Greek island.
Dimensions & Packaging
This villa is 250 sqm with an additional 25 sqm laundry and maid’s room, kitchen, dining room, and living room. The villa has 2 atriums, a storage of 45 sqm. and an outdoor barbecue. The main space consists of 4 bedrooms, 4 en suite bathrooms, 1 wc, The swimming pool is L shape 19m long, 7m wide, 4.5 m height with optical fiber lighting. All the bathrooms are from carrara, vratsa and mugla marbles. All tiles used are granite tiles R9 for indoors and R11 for outdoors, Aluminium profiles are thermal and minimal, company Alumil, supreme denied 650 phos and 630. All facades are thermal, stand alone air condition system in each space & Hager switches and sockets
Tags
Subterranean, Subterraneanhouses, Subterraneanvillas, Cavehouses, luxury properties
Production Technology
The most significant technique and methodology that needed to be considered in designing the whole project was the research of developing a subterranean building on rocky ground. Possible insulation issues on the green roves and sideways, ventilation and natural air, natural light, and humidity had to be solved next to the ocean while keeping a unique, minimal architectural design.
Design Challenge
The green roves and the side tunnels were the creative part of this project along with the difficulty of developing it. The rocky ground, the Incline, and the oceanfront plot were the obstacles that had to be taken care of.
Research
The main research that had to be done it was about the subterranean houses design and development. We had to study very well the way the houses should be designed in order to have the right insulation, ventilation and in the meantime to provide the right functionality. We collected data from European isolation experts, we exchanged ideas with companies that participated in Leed and other green developments and we cooperated with certified companies in order to get the best quality materials.
Inspiration
The inspiration came from the mythological couple of Atlas and Pleione, Pleiades parents. This is why the fiber optic lights layout in the swimming pool are the Pleiades asterism. The technical and research background that is needed is specific, and a developer needs to develop safely, insulate properly, design details, and ventilate excellently a subterranean property, which is basically inside the ground.
Project Duration
The project started December 2019 and finished August 2022.
Operation Flow
Τhe inhabitants of this property consume less energy, live in a healthy, clean environment, and have a low overall energy footprint, as most things are managed sustainably.
Team Members
Designer and Project Manager: Vassilis Siafaricas
Designer: Nicolas Zachariou
Civil Engineer: Thomas Valavanis
Mechanical Engineer: Vasileios Mastrogiannis
Designer: George Gougoulakis
Image Credits
Photographer: Yiannis Psathas

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