Cyprus-based architecture practice Alexis Papadopoulos Architectural Practice has designed a residence comprising two distinct volumes in Kolossi, Cyprus. 

Named The Koulas Project, the 170-square-metre residence, is comprised of two distinct volumes; one is an elongated and the other is a vertical compact volume. 

Located in the area of Kolossi Castle (Koulas), the residence refers to Koulas' specific typology of medieval watchtowers/turrets.

While the main, vertical volume is inspired by the compact form and small openings of the typology of Koulas, the tower-like building consists of two levels of indoor space and the third level without a roof, operating as a roof garden and giving the sense of a room open to the sky. 

A series of small openings in the vertical building resemble a real watchtower. 

On the other hand, other functional spaces are placed on a secondary linear volume, which also differentiates as form and materiality, emphasizing the height of the main volume and its dynamic presence.

On the north side, the living room is submerged into the surrounding garden, while to the south the bedroom hovers above it. 

The architects decided the position of the building volumes, the arrangement of openings, and the exterior spaces according to the pre-existing olive trees, which were important elements of the synthesis.

"The intention for monolithic facades in the internal and external walls of the main volume, which would highlight its solid form, has led to research methodologies of construction," said  Alexis Papadopoulos Architectural Practice. 

"The chosen technique was explored with the method of prefabricated double walls in reinforced concrete, without any columns or beams." 

"The concrete walls were cast with robotic control in metal molds, that give a perfectly smooth surface, and assembled on site with a crane within three days." 

"The thermal insulation and the various services, specifically designed for each place, are located between the two sides of the concrete walls," the firm added.

The studio reflected the same structural materials of the building volumes into the interior space as well. While the walls of the main volume is built from concrete, the walls of the secondary volume are cladded in wood - a material that has also been used for its structure. 

The natural textures and the special technical construction characteristics, both of concrete and wood, as well as of the other materials that have been chosen for the fixed furniture, form a distinct interior environment.

As the studio highlights, "these, along with the red color of the fixed furniture in the main volume, enhance the material contrasts of the spaces, while creating an intense and lively atmosphere." 

The selection of lighting fixtures follows the same color tones with details in materials that have already been used in the residence, forming a unified spatial sense.

Axonometric drawing

Diagram

Diagram-2

Diagram-3

Diagram-4

Ground floor plan

First floor plan

Roof plan

Typology

Project facts

Project name: The Koulas Project

Architects: Alexis Papadopoulos Architectural Practice

Location: Kolossi, Cyprus. 

Size: 170m2 

Date: 2021

All images © Mariana Bisti

All drawings © Alexis Papadopoulos Architectural Practice

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