Greek architecture firm, P9 Arch Studio, has placed “The Polygon House”, an idyllic holiday residence on the island of Skiathos, on a plot with a large inclination slope, located 350.00m above sea level with panoramic views.
The house is in the limited zone, allowed by law and within this zone in the smoothest part as possible. The conception of the architectural idea was based on the criterion of the division of the building volumes and their openings towards to the sea. The building volumes were placed so that each area of the house has an unobstructed view to the sea from wherever the observer stands inside the house.
It was oriented on the north-south axis with the main face facing southeast. The north-south axis has bioclimatic benefits, as in winter we have direct solar benefits from the south. In summer, protects the southern sides of the ground floor and first floor with metal sunshades.
The upper level can function almost as an independent residence during use to offer complete privacy to the residents of this level. There is also a semi open space that allows them to go outside if they do not want to go at the uncovered pool area. The view from the office, the master bedroom and the semi open space to the sea is unobstructed and panoramic because of the polygonal volumes.
The sea view is unobstructed thanks to the large overlapping external door that develops throughout the exterior wall of the living room. Part of the ground floor such as the living room and the kitchen are open at fullheight of 2 levels of floors.
In the night zone, there are the other bedrooms with their own bathrooms and a WC for tenants and guests. The view from these bedrooms is unobstructed due to their layout and frames. The openings in these areas are in full height and width.
The outdoor areas have a swimming pool and areas where one can sit. The uncovered space is shaded with a pergola and the triangular building volume of the first floor that protrudes.
The materials used refer us to the purity of the place (local stone for stonework) and to simple industrial materials such as the metal sunshades and concrete of the exterior floors.
The austerity of the volumes of the building without unnecessary decoration materials remind us of the basic principle of modernism «the less is more» which in this work is reformulated to meet simplicity of the lines of the local traditional architecture and to serve the needs of a holiday home.