On a gently sloping site in Paros, two new single-storey residences are carefully embedded into the Cycladic landscape. Designed by Constantine Bouras Studio, the project occupies a plot of 11,060 sqm and explores how contemporary domestic architecture can coexist with the scale, materiality, and spatial logic of the island without resorting to literal references.
The two houses are placed in contact with one another, forming a unified architectural composition articulated through eight distinct volumes. Their arrangement emerges directly from the natural slope of the terrain. The volumes shift back and forth in plan and step subtly in section, following the topography and allowing the built form to read as an extension of the ground. Rather than a single monolithic mass, the project unfolds as a sequence of solids and voids, where built volumes and open courtyards alternate in a way that echoes the spatial logic of traditional Cycladic settlements.
Each residence is organized primarily on one level. The main living areas—living room, kitchen, and dining space—open directly onto outdoor terraces, reinforcing a continuous relationship between interior and exterior life. The bedrooms and bathrooms are positioned in more private zones, yet maintain immediate access to open air. The third bedroom of each house is conceived as an independent volume with its own entrance and bathroom, allowing for a more autonomous guest experience. Minor internal level changes accommodate the natural ground slope, integrating the topography into the daily spatial experience rather than neutralizing it.
Stone walls are introduced between the two residences and between each house and its independent guest room, ensuring privacy between terraces while maintaining the overall unity of the composition. The two outermost volumes, which contain the independent bedrooms, are constructed in exposed stone masonry. Their material presence reinforces the dialogue with the landscape and anchors the composition to the site. The remaining volumes are rendered in white plaster, creating a balanced interplay between solid stone elements and lighter surfaces.
All spaces have direct access to the outdoors. Even the bathrooms open onto small private courtyards, allowing natural light and ventilation to penetrate deep into the plan. Outdoor living plays a central role in the project. Each house features an exterior kitchen and dining area sheltered by a pergola, conceived as the primary living space during the warmer months. Additional shaded sitting areas are positioned along the eastern side, protected from circulation paths and organized to preserve privacy. Accessible roof terraces, reached via external staircases, offer elevated viewpoints toward the sea and the surrounding landscape.
The architectural language avoids mimicry of predefined Cycladic motifs. Instead, it relies on proportion, fragmentation of volumes, material authenticity, and careful placement within the terrain. The structural system is reinforced concrete, while finishes combine white plastered masonry and exposed stonework. Wooden frames and shutters, continuous cement screed floors, and white-painted metal pergolas complete a restrained and durable material palette. The use of natural, long-lasting materials with low embodied energy supports the project’s sustainable approach .
Orientation, cross-ventilation, controlled shading, and the creation of protected outdoor spaces inform the bioclimatic strategy. The positioning of the volumes maximizes views toward the sea while ensuring privacy and shelter from prevailing winds. Rainwater management is also integrated into the overall environmental logic of the site.
The result is a contemporary architectural composition that feels grounded and quiet. The two residences form a cohesive ensemble that settles naturally into the Parian landscape, engaging light, wind, and topography to shape a lived experience that is both modern and deeply connected to place.
