Located on an olive grove in Mani, these two houses designed by hhharchitects feature characteristics of traditional local settlements and are constructed in a way that dissolves the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. The complex consists of six stone blocks placed in between the existing olive trees, with a view of the Messenian bay to the South and the mountain of Taygetos to the North. The positioning of the stone volumes creates interesting spaces in between, with neighborhood-like characteristics such as the entrance courtyards and covered dining areas, which paraphrase elements of a Mani settlement. Spaces in between, with views to the olive garden from one side and to the sea from the other, bring the surrounding closer to the inside. This is further enhanced by the way the buildings are connected, using light steel and transparent glass elements, which highlight the stone volumes. The transparency of glass and the industrial character of the metal structures combined with the massive stone blocks create tension and interesting spaces. Traditional materials such as stone, wood and reeds are applied in a contemporary way, such as for example in the planking of the roof, the openings in the stone walls and the ceiling of the kitchen.
2 Vacation Houses in Mani by hhharchitects
