Gold Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2020
The Linear House
- A' Design Award 2020 Gold Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: Private Client
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 61,111
- Verification code 88884ED355 · Verify this award
About The Linear House
The project was inspired by the idea of Mediterranean scenery admiration towards olive grove, vineyards, blue sky and breezy south to west orientation. To maximise unobstructed views for all rooms a linear typology was adopted,a simple silhouette thus establishing strong relationships between people and nature. A sliding sun blocking aluminium screen controls and protects the interior from direct sunlight. Double height living space with glazed bridges is the focal area of the house connecting all rooms and providing views in and out. The long design surrenders to nature and follows the land.
The Linear House by Christos Pavlou represents a distinguished contribution to contemporary residential architecture, demonstrating how rigorous geometric discipline can harmonize with sensory richness and contextual sensitivity. The design engages meaningfully with traditions of Mediterranean modernism while advancing distinctive approaches to facade performance, environmental mediation, and the choreography of natural and artificial light. The translucent polycarbonate screen system exemplifies innovative thinking about privacy, solar control, and nocturnal presence, transforming the upper level into a dynamic element that shifts character throughout the day and into evening hours. When illuminated from within, the violet-lavender glow suggests careful consideration of color psychology and atmospheric effect, creating a dwelling that announces habitation with warmth while maintaining appropriate domestic discretion. The compositional strategy demonstrates sophisticated understanding of figure-ground relationships, with the solid cubic tower anchoring the floating horizontal volume in a manner suggesting thoughtful engagement with neoplastic principles and the vocabulary of interlocking forms. Material selections reveal commitment to both durability and sensory pleasure, with rendered masonry providing thermal mass and weather resistance while warm timber elements establish welcoming domestic atmosphere at ground level. The retention and celebration of existing olive trees demonstrates ecological sensitivity and cultural awareness, these venerable specimens providing living counterpoint to constructed geometry while connecting the dwelling to longer temporal cycles and agricultural heritage. The open ground floor plan visible through extensive glazing suggests fluid contemporary living patterns, while the screened upper level accommodates private retreat. Viewers might contemplate how this residence negotiates between transparency and enclosure, between assertive architectural statement and respectful landscape integration, between technological innovation and timeless principles of shelter and home.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- To maximise unobstructed views for all rooms we adopted a linear typology, a simple strong silhouette establishing so relationships between people and nature. A sliding sun blocking aluminium screen controls and protects the interior from direct sunlight. Double height living space with glazed bridges is the focal area of the house connecting all rooms and providing views in and out. The long design surrenders to its natural environment and absorbs the panorama of the Mediterranean nature.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- site area 1517 sq.m.
area of building 607 sq.m. - Tags
- double height living, rural house, aluminium mesh, sun screens, swimming pool
- Production Technology
- Locally produced materials are used. Cyprus is rich in lime stone thus concrete, clay bricks and plasters are used as the main building material.The frame structure is made of reinforced concrete but additional structures are made of steel providing contrast between heavy and light finishes. Marble stone is used for floors, clay thermal bricks for outer walls, wooden flooring for outdoors, timber cladding for some walls and staircases inside.Triple, tempered glass is used for the gazed bridges.
- Design Challenge
- Our challenge was to establish relationships between building and nature. Our proposal enhances the beauty of the Mediterranean countryside. A linear typology was adopted where all rooms have views through big openings highlighting the connection with nature. A challenge was to design a sustainable house. We have incorporated passive solar concepts which included photovoltaic, solar panels, cross and chimney stack ventilation. Orientation and shading devices reduce the amount of solar gains.
- Project Duration
- the projected started in 2015 in Limassol, Cyprus and finished in 2018.
- Operation Flow
- The linear typology produces a series of spaces along a pathway. Spaces have specific relationship with the outside highlighting strong connections between activities within the house and nature. Living space acts as in between space connecting all four levels. A slim aluminium system on ground provides smooth transitions between inside and outside. Mesh sun-screen on first floor remodels the appearance of the house, the day appears solid and protective but the night is light and transparent.
- Research
- To reduce energy the following strategies applied- 1. passive solar approach, right orientation, cross ventilation, chimney stack effect 2. High performance insulation materials, 3.glass with light transmission 73 ,solar factor 41, 4. Shade devices blocking 80% of direct sun 5.Led lighting 6. Automation 7. sustainable sources ,38 photovoltaic panels, 8 solar panels.Furthermore swimming pool is placed next to living area so as water evaporates cooler air is drawn into the hous
- Inspiration
- The linearity of the vineyards and olive groove plantations were the inspiration for the design. It seemed as though nature was calling us to follow the linearity model of the landscape and be part of its ecosystem. As a result the house is structured along a longitudinal axis running parallel to plantations but also coinciding with the best sun orientation, summer breezes and views. Linear elements in the house echo the linearity of nature.
- Image Credits
- #1. creative photo room
#2. creative photo room
#3. christos pavlou
#4.creative photo room
#5. creative photo room