Cyprus | Stavrides Residence | Armeftis & Associates

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Armeftis & Associates completes house in the agricultural heartlands of Cyprus

This residence is set at the outskirts of Nicosia on a triangular plot overlooking the Pentadaxtilos Mountain through the plains of Mesaoria. The basic concept is derived from the need for a contemporary building in a corresponding dialogue with the local vernacular 'makrinari' (a building with all functions contained in a longitudinal volume) and the Mesaoria plains. The building is organised in two linear functions per floor with the private on the upper and the public on the lower. The resulting shape as derived from the displacement of the corresponding upper part, is to create the covered patio below.

The structure was positioned parallel to the public road taking over the entire span at a distance. The basic aim was to manage the appropriation of shading and air flow so as to maximise the outdoor activity use by its inhabitants. The covered outdoor patio on the southeast side serves as the main characteristic of the house, allowing for the fresh westward wind flow to filter through.

The linear positioning of its main functions - living /day room, kitchen dining and salon on the ground floor - are set with open views and large openings toward the courtyard and the verandas. At the upper floor, the bedrooms are orientated accordingly with uninterrupted views to Pentadaxtilos Mountain.

The basement and ground floor are made out of poured in situ reinforced concrete. Large orthogonal rough stone plinths are placed in a non uniform way reminiscing of the indigenous architecture. The upper floor is made out of metal trusses tied down to the ground concrete pillars and spans over the patio at a 5.60 metre length. The metal structure is then treated with HPL as a finished surface. Internally a dry wall system was used in conjunction with thermal insulation, while the glazing is of low thermal emissivity.

Fonte: World Architecture News