Sustainability Report

Sustainability information is provided by Argyro Pouliovali, Principal Architect at ARP – Architecture Research Practice.

Embodied carbon strategies

• A key decision during design was to retain the original structural frame and work around it, preserving embodied energy and materials from the previous construction. This approach reduced the need for new reinforced concrete and limited demolition waste. 
• Externally, locally sourced stone and durable mineral render systems were selected for their longevity in a coastal climate and reduced need for replacement or maintenance.

Operational emissions strategies 

• Tetris House was shaped by principles aligned with net-zero and Passive House logics. The Passive House methodology, however, is structured around Northern European climates and many of its performance targets are not appropriate for Mediterranean conditions. For this reason, formal certification was not pursued. Instead, the project focused on climate-appropriate strategies to ensure long-term thermal comfort and reduced operational energy demand without reliance on heavy mechanical systems.
• The building envelope incorporates continuous insulation and careful airtight detailing to minimise heating and cooling demand. Passive solar control and cross-ventilation are integrated into the architectural geometry through precisely dimensioned overhangs and facade articulation. An operable skylight at the top of the interior stairs functions as a passive cooling tower.
• Heating and cooling are provided by an energy-efficient VRV inverter heat pump system with zoned control. Photovoltaic panels, integrated into the landscape, generate enough energy to cover the building’s total annual consumption of 47.7 kWh per square metre. A hybrid PV system contributes to both electrical production and domestic hot water generation. Qualitative assessment indicates that operational energy demand is expected to be 35–40 percent lower than that of a standard new-build home in Greece. The photovoltaic system covers the remaining demand, allowing the house to operate at near-zero net energy.
• Water management strategies include drought-tolerant local planting requiring minimal irrigation and a swimming pool designed with the shallowest depth necessary for swimming, reducing both initial water volume and evaporation losses.