A perfect and pure flat roof covers the hills of Tinos Island of Greece, proposed by Greece-based architecture firm Kois Associated Architects. Called 'Mirage House', the private residence is flawlessly sitting on the slope and creating aesthetic shelter, completing the seaside view with its distinctive duck egg blue colour. Located in the northern side of the Cyclades, Tinos is the third largest island of the island group. Well known as the “Island of Madonna”, Tinos is the greatest center of pilgrimage in Greece. 

Within its landscape of rugged, rocky hills lay more than 40 villages, like marble fragments of an ancient statue scattered across the hills. The island is famous for its unspoiled architecture, its picturesque villages and beautiful scenery.

View from the flat roof, the roof also features sunbathing place dominating the full sea

More than a thousand churches can be found on slopes and hilltops, a thousand or so dovecotes, while masterpieces of local architecture and tens of derelict windmills are found in its gullies and valleys. The scenery is lined by thousands of kilometers of dry stonewalls that make the landscape visually unique.

Mirage house's flat roof sits on the slope and easily accessible from the upper level

The residence is situated on steep sloped rocky plot facing south overlooking the Aegean Sea. It is a single-level structure and has a surface of 198 square meters. The location allows benefiting from wonderful and panoramic views of the landscape and seascape.

View from the entrance level-a beautiful terrace is covered by duck egg blue coloured roof

Kois Associated Architects wanted to integrate the building into the landscape like it was part of it. The living space is covered by a rimless pool that produces a visual effect of water extending to the horizon, vanishing and merging with the seascape. 

From a distance especially if viewed from the path of approach, on a higher ground, the only visible feature of the house is the water of the pool. The water during the day reflects the surrounding rock formations and during the night the star filled night sky. 

Terrace view takes place in a fully open space with natural stone ground floor

Most of the visible construction materials were found in the vicinity and were used to make the house ‘disappear’ into the scenery. Local techniques were also borrowed like the characteristic dry wall construction found in abundance in the island. This technique was implemented with minor modifications; on the side embankment walls in each side of the pool volume. 

Night view and only terrace is perceived from the environment

The local materials have a low impact on the environment while also being very efficient as insulating materials. The rear walls are made of retained earth that regulates the temperature. The pool which acts as a roof provides insulation and protection from solar radiation and heat transmittance.

View from the flat roof-sunbathing place 

The architecture firm wanted to make a house fused with its surroundings, an invisible oasis hidden from the unsuspected eyes. The house is acts almost like an observation point as it clings to the rocks and oversees the dramatic cascading landscape.

Project Facts

Architect: Kois Associated Architects

Location: Tinos Island, Greece

Year: 2013

Type: Residential

Status: Commission

Size: 198m2

Principal architect: Kois Stelios

Project leader: Patsiaouras Nikos

Design team: Filippos Manolas, Gaby Barbas,Konstantinos Giannakis, Antriana Voutsina

All images courtesy of Kois Associated Architects

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