5 modern houses in Greece that impress with their design

Z House

In an olive grove at the northeastern tip of Corfu, the challenge of creating a residence with a strong nature component, was captured in a design that draws from the external environment and inspires with its simple lines.

Z House offered the architectMaria Doxa the perfect "canvas" to "paint" a villa with the "colors" of the hills of Corfu and the Ionian Sea. Looking at the Z House from afar, it seems as if it is planted in the olive grove, in a way that shows respect to the external environment. One of the first elements that impress the visitor is the swimming pool, its overflow seemingly located right on the edge of the hill, and looking at it from the inside it joins the blue of the Ionian Sea on the horizon.

Another element that is characteristic of the Z House is its large  sliding aluminium balcony doors of the first floor, which give the sense of integration of the interior with the external environment and enhance to the maximum both the natural lighting of the house and the unparalleled view to the sea. The interior of the house is dominated by simplicity and the straight lines offer the necessary sense of tranquility. Here the materials alternate in a harmonious way. From the sides of the concrete masonry of the upper floor to the scattered wooden surfaces, everything serves the original vision of minimalism and relaxation.

Z House is a modern detached house that combines comfort with simplicity and modern design with the natural landscape. A building of the highest qualifications designed with man and his interaction with nature at its core.

Residence in Chalandri

Minimal design, modern aesthetics and strictly straight lines, define the character of this private residence in Chalandri, with the interior exuding peace and tranquility, achieved through simplicity.

The house - architectural creation of the GEM Architects – creates a dialogue between two characteristics. On the one hand, the cement plaster on the walls and ceiling in light grey, acts as a consistent motif throughout the structure. On the other, the fireplace, furniture, and lighting fixtures in dark earthy tones provide a sense of solidity, while maintaining an abstract feeling.

The overall picture is harmoniously complemented by the frames of simple and elegant aesthetics in the natural color of anodized aluminium, which take advantage of the large openings and allow the unobstructed entry of natural light into the house. The result is a residence that radiates confidence through comfort and simplicity, while at the same time it manages to combine the urban atmosphere - a strong element of big cities - with a minimal layout, without unnecessary additions.

Lap Pool House

The island of Tinos is defined by its earthy tones, the prominence of stone and its sloping terrain. TheLap Pool House, a project by Aristides Dallas Architects, embraces all these features of the island’s identity and incorporates them in its design.

The austerity that Tinos exudes is reflected in the clean lines of theLap Pool House, which draws inspiration from the island’s rugged rock formations. Viewed from a distance, the house appears to seamlessly blend into the natural landscape while still bearing the distinctive mark of the architect's vision. Three large concrete volumes are connected by an exposed concrete roof, with a linear pool that protrudes, drawing the eye and visually extending the building toward the sea—creating an informal dialogue between earth and water.

We are guided inside the Lap Pool House through the entrance nestled in a recess formed by the rock at the highest point of the plot. The simple straight lines extend inside, with the concrete masonry of the exterior shell also flowing into the interior, creating a sense of continuity and cohesion. The impressively large openings allow light to diffuse freely into the space and theminimal design of the frames subtly enhances the sense of freedom one feels inside the residence.

Olea House

Olea House has been designed with one word in mind: harmony. Architectural firm Façade placed great emphasis on highlighting this element, which is evident in every aspect of the house.

The key issue here was to blur the boundaries between the internal and external environment. This is perfectly achieved through the atrium, the semi-open spaces and the impressive inner courtyard. The cement on the exterior surface of the building and the masonry contrasts with the greenery and brings balance.

The interior has been unified, with the living room, dining room and kitchen being integrated into an open plan that offers functionality and comfort. The particularly large aluminium balcony doors allow the entry of plenty of natural light inside, while at the same time contributing to a sense of extroversion, visually extending the boundaries of the building. The simple lines of the Olea House, serve the vision of quality living and highlight the value of the home as a unique oasis of tranquility and personal reflection for those who reside in it.

Penthouse in Maroussi

An apartment building of the 1990s in the northern suburbs of Athens, a rooftop apartment and the need for a total overhaul, are the main components of the project completed by architect Eleftherios Ampatzis.

Everything starts from the abundant Athenian light. Our vision was to configure the spaces to allow the light to flow unobstructed throughout the house. With its new design, the house looks outwards, and the spaces communicate (with an open plan living room, dining room and kitchen, the kitchen counter being the focal point). Thus, several interior walls were demolished and the natural light that shines on the house due to its location, floods in without obstruction.

The impressive wooden flooring in the entire house helps create a cozy and warm feeling. In harmonious continuity with the wooden floor we find statement pieces of furniture, many of which were designed by the architect himself: the bronze chandelier, the large glass globe in the living room's bronze dome, and the circular table - also bronze - in front of the fireplace, all re combined harmoniously to support the general sense of relaxation and calm.

Finally, a special feature of the house is the unparalleled view of the mountains of Penteli and Hymettus. The architectural design took advantage of this by using the terrace - through the large openings with sliding doors - and the minimalistic balcony doors - to which all rooms lead, without exception, but also with the use of mirrors that seem to transfer the external environment into the interior of the house through reflections.

Your home the way you want it

The five examples of homes above are a great opportunity to draw inspiration and design your new home. As you will see, the common thread of all the houses we have listed is the functionality of the spaces and the abundant natural light. In the former, both the architectural design and the square footage you have at your disposal play a major role.  In terms of light, it is important to focus on the window openings of the house and focus on choosing the right frames, which will allow light to fill the interior unobstructed.