TYRSIS VILLA IN GREECE

Greece [2022-ongoing]

LPA Collaborators: Luigi Castelli Gattinara, Simone Renzi, Charbel Bou-Francis

Builder: Oiko Construction & Consulting

Image and photo Credits: LPA
Video Credits: Stefano Colagrande

Description

Construction is progressing on site for our latest villa design in Greece, commissioned by the same client as The Bluff in the UK. The triangular site opens dramatically from a contained street-side entrance toward a 150-metre waterfront.

The architecture blends a contemporary language with elements rooted in local heritage. Life in the house unfolds fluidly between interior and exterior – across shaded spaces formed by olive groves, mulberry trees, pergolas, and patios, and through a sequence of steps and platforms.

The design takes full advantage of the beneficial planning conditions afforded by the traditional “cave house,” designed to reduce the visual impact of built volumes. Courtyards inserted between forms increase and enhance natural light and cross-ventilation. Green roofs planted with indigenous species provide insulation while integrating the buildings into the surrounding garden and olive grove.

Terraces of local stone, inspired by the island’s agricultural landscape, articulate the steep terrain with subtle cuts and light-filled openings leading into the interior—partially embedded and hidden beneath the green roof.

The building is constructed with materials and systems suited to the Mediterranean climate. It achieves a positive energy balance—producing more energy than it consumes—through a combination of active and passive sustainability strategies. These include seamlessly integrated photovoltaics, geothermal probes, and high-performance insulation, along with deep deciduous pergolas and patios for natural ventilation. Thermal mass is provided by the underground structure and thick stone walls with a green roof. A dedicated system also collects and purifies well water and wastewater, supplying both the house and the surrounding landscape.