Located on a steep slope facing the Saronic Gulf, this 80 sqm summer house in Aegina is conceived as both an observation post and a place of retreat. The site offers a sweeping, dual view: to the left, the industrial seascape of Salamina and its tankers; to the right, the polished marinas and anchored yachts of the Athenian Riviera. The house sits quietly between these two worlds, proposing an interior that belongs to neither—evoking instead the in-between state of being on a vessel, in passage.

The structure consists of two distinct volumes: a compact two-storey concrete tower (each level housing a 20 sqm bedroom and bathroom) and a long 40 sqm linear block attached at the base. This lower volume contains the living room, kitchen, and guest WC. Entry to the plot is from the top, at road level—directly onto the roof of the long block and the upper floor of the tower. A staircase descends to the house’s main level, immersing the visitor into the landscape.

Our design strategy aims to preserve the clarity of this dual geometry. The concrete tower remains exposed, rising as a solitary figure within the oregano and schinos bushes. The linear volume is treated differently: its roof becomes a planted surface, effectively continuing the slope of the hill and minimizing its visibility from the road. From above, only the tower is visible; from below, the full composition reveals itself.

Materiality was informed by our repeated ferry trips from Piraeus to Aegina: inox metal surfaces, marine tones, and raw finishes selected for their resilience and timelessness. Inside, the private functions—bathrooms, storage—are housed in small, freestanding “cabana-like” volumes, lightly inserted into the open plan. These lightweight elements foster a fluid, seasonal way of living, reinforcing the house’s character as a temporary outpost of leisure and observation.

Credits

Design Team: Eleni Vagianou, Tasos Theodorakakis