On the shores of the Aegean Sea, the construction of a unique house has been completed, integrated into the rocky promontory of the island of Serifos, soaring just above sea level. The invisible mansion was safely hidden in the hilly landscape for a reason, the architects tried to find a reliable shelter from the strong winds that rage in the area. Despite the fact that the house was created without an external form, its special layout allowed for stunning views from the windows.
On the slope of a secluded rocky bay on the Greek island of Serifos, the design studio Mold Architects has completed the construction of the underground mansion Ncaved House. The architects managed to integrate a three-story dwelling with an area of 360 sq. m so that from some points it is unrealistic to distinguish it from the slope. The project team explains such an unusual location by the fact that strong northerly winds very often blow on the coast of the Aegean Sea, in the area of the island of Serifos.
It is this circumstance that became the reason that the dwelling does not have external forms and consists only of several volumetric structures, noticeable only due to the presence of window and door openings and installed visors above them. Thanks to this camouflage, the three-story mansion does not violate the hilly landscape and does not block the view of the endless sea.
The authors of the project created a three-dimensional "chessboard" of stone walls, which became a continuation of the hill hanging over the sea and the voids in which living spaces were created. And the shift of the levels of the house relative to the center of the structure enhances the perspective and provides the interior with a broader view. This integration helped to create not only a special visual effect, but at the same time it performs a natural insulating function that allows maintaining a relatively stable temperature inside the mansion at any time of the year.
To achieve this result, the builders had to remove a large portion of the rocky landscape and rebuild the slope, shaping the living spaces. For this reason, in the interior of the invisible house, you can see an abundance of natural stone and concrete, which keep the movement of the rock inside the structure.
Particularly interesting is the decision of the developers when creating a flight of stairs, embedded in a sheer wall, which connects all three levels of the mansion with the main entrance. Mold Architects explain this design move as follows: “An internal staircase connects the three levels from the outside and leads to the main entrance located at the top of the building. A smooth descent inside reveals the initially invisible spaces of the house, while revealing a two-sided view - a visual outlet to the sea during descent and contemplation of the heavenly surface during the ascent."
In order to "lighten" the appearance of the house, which became a continuation of the boulders, they used abundant glazing of the frontal part of the building. Floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows open full length to allow unobstructed sunlight and air circulation. The glass sliding doors installed in the underground mansion Ncaved House do a great job with these functions.
Considering that the open facade of the house is located to the east, in order to fully reveal the beauty of the Aegean coast, you will not have to fear for the privacy of your personal life: there are no buildings or an accessible shore in front of it.
Interesting design features: To make the facade of the building more textured, dwarf plants adapted to survive on rocky slopes were planted on the surface. Combined with large reflective mirrors and the movement of the sun, they add dynamism to the exterior of the residence, while inside they create mesmerizing images with ever-changing outlines. Wooden pergolas highlight the feature of the integrated structure, denoting the physical aspect of the residence, while fulfilling their primary function of creating shade. Some of the outer passages have a transparent floor, which will leave an indelible impression of movement and organize additional lighting for the rooms decorated in the depths of the slope.
The Ncaved House Residence consists of a main house and separate guest apartments, which are connected only by external stairs for complete independence. The main building has two floors, communicating with each other using an original "floating" staircase that runs inside the building. Most of the living space on the first level is occupied by a common open-plan area with a spacious living room, dining room, kitchen and bathroom. From here there is an exit to the open terrace, through which you can get to the infinity pool, located just below its level. Its side, as expected, visually coincides with the sea surface. The pool can also be accessed from the outside of the building, so that the residents of the guest apartment also have free access.
The second floor has a bedroom with a bathroom hidden behind a glass partition. Thanks to the sliding glass doors on the entire wall, from the bedroom you can contemplate the azure distance of the sea, as well as get to the open terrace, where the inhabitants of the unusual mansion will meet the sunrises with a cup of aromatic coffee or sunbathe in good weather. The interior of the room itself is more than modest, lovers of palace luxury will not like it, but those who prefer minimalism and modern design, the generous use of concrete and the presence of an open bathroom will only be a plus. In addition, the addition of natural stone and wood softens the brutal effect and makes the design more sophisticated and stylish.
According to the Novate.ru editors, the underground mansion is non-volatile and equipped with innovative systems that provide comfortable living conditions away from central communications. This was facilitated by both the location of the property and the energy-saving materials that were used in / decoration of the Ncaved House residence. Growing plants will soon join technological implementations, which will strengthen the slope, absorb excess water and create additional shade in the hot season.
The creation of houses that blend in with the picturesque landscape is becoming a fashionable trend in modern architecture. More and more often you can see huge mansions, masterfully integrated into the natural surroundings.