Volax is perhaps, the most “authentic” location in Tinos; blatantly special and distinct, in a way that makes it, unique in Cyclades – though it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say in the world.So, it goes without saying that the design of a residence in Volax, is a challenge and why not, a “personal bet” for every architect.
Aristides Dallas and his architecture practice responded affirmatively to this challenge. On behalf of a couple of rock climbers, he designed and at the time writing, is constructing, in cooperation with DimitresLouvaris’ construction company, Aegean de.co.de., a residence which seems like forming a continuation or complementary part of the overall grand picture of Volax. Nature may have done wonders during the creation of the round rocks that remind of natural artworks, still the architect has added his personal, “human” touch so as to give shape to a residence as an integral part of the area.Dallas, designs a residence in perfect harmony with the surrounding area. With the disintegration of the residence in distinct volumes that are set around the spherical rocks, he creates an overall sensation of uniformity.
Around the central patio, the three buildings that house the main functions of the residence differ in height, dimensions, and materials. Their principal feature is that no organized design – site concept was followed for their construction but instead, each part has been freely set in the space, in an almost anarchic way, as if it has fallen from the sky and it just stood there. In other words, as exactly it has happened to Volax volcanic spherical rocks. “Having been limited only by the orientation and the need to protectthe existing “random” organization of the surrounding environment, our aim was to harmonizethe residence with it’s environment, not only accordingly the new constructed space, but also the “in-between” space, as well as the relationship between them” the architect highlights.
Equally typical is the northern side of the residence where A. Dallas creates a “limit”, an artificial protection of the space from the Northern Wind. He places there a volume of apparent and non-painted concrete. The selection of this materiality makes the house seem also like a rock while in time, when the colorful concrete aggregates emerge to the surface, it will be totally integrated with the landscape. On the other hand, the selection of its shape, an oblong rectangle, manages to give prominence to the rocks “underlying” them and enhancing their sphericity, setting them in direct “confrontation” with its own linearity.
*The project is currently under construction, expected to be completedbysummer 2016.
