Tower-house I interprets the form of dwelling, widely found throughout the outer Mani, southern Greece. This form, a combination of defense tower and farmhouse, was articulated by a monolithic, stone structure with few openings, so as to protect dwellers from extensive heat as well as piracy. The surrounding landscape is characterized by dry stone retaining walls transforming a steep topography into a series of arable plateaus.
The new Tower-house contemplates exactly this; a volume among existing preserved retaining walls and a few new concrete ones. There are no seams at the white, stucco facades, only the dark frames of the apertures. No elements project from the main volume, except the steel frame in front of the west facade, accommodating temporary shade screens.
The interior of the box is articulated by the double-height living room and the shallow dining room. The space emphasizes the idea of Mani topography, which is infinite view of the sea at living area and close vicinity of the olive orchard at dining area and the kitchen. The interior embraces a protected and quiet-zone area at the second floor, the very core of the dwelling.
Towerhouse I has been awarded with the DOMES Prize for the Best First Building of a Young Architect (2012), and shortlisted at the Mediterranean Sustainable Architecture (2013) Awards and at the Hellenic Architecture Institute Awards (2013). It has also received the Greek Architects Association honorable mention for the best building of an architect under 40 years old (2014).
