Pine house, Pareklisha, 2001

This is the first in a series of linear house case studies to follow. To escape the density of town living and the suburban compromise clients increasingly prefer to live in the open counrtyside with good views towards the sea. To provide each room with a view we developed a linear plan in which the main spaces are linked side by side in a chain like fashion with uninterrupted glazing and long deep overhangs providing cool shading. The swimming pool is placed parallel to the house to add humidity to the prevailing hot southwest winds which then cool the interior. A continuous lateral staircase from the basement garage to the top floor via the ground floor acts as an air shaft with openable skylights allowing the air to circulate. The determination to maintain the existing pine forest strongly influenced the design of this house and garden.