Mold Architects designed the “nCAVED” residence, an underground home nestled in a hidden depression on the Greek island of Serifos. Embedded into a cliff on one side, the house appears to hover above the sea. To preserve the natural rolling terrain and expansive views, the designers created a shelter shielded from the north wind. From the outside, the residence is almost invisible, yet it forms a series of functional spaces through carefully carved subtractions in the landscape.
In the “nCAVED” design, Mold Architects applied a rectangular grid on the slope, generating a three-dimensional, chessboard-like solid space with a grey tone. However, this strict geometric form is disrupted by the rotation of the grid’s external axis, which opens up towards the living room. This living area boasts wide views that significantly enhance the occupants’ visual experience. A dry-stone retaining wall runs longitudinally, defining the residence’s outline while framing the horizon. In contrast to the substantial stone walls, a short vertical partition wall made of glass extends along the length of the residence, offering lightness and the ability to fully open. The front of the house faces east and opens completely, while sunken windows at the rear overlook a private garden. This design encourages natural airflow and allows daylight to flood the underground interior.
The circulation spaces within the nCAVED residence were carefully crafted by Mold Architects. An outdoor staircase is embedded into the slope, connecting the main entrance—located in the attic living room—to the third floor. This gradual descent into the home reveals the initially hidden spaces while offering scenic views on both sides: a visual path towards the sea when descending and an opening to the sky when ascending. The design incorporates cave-like or ‘negative’ spaces formed by the removal of rock and soil. The rough, natural cave feel is achieved through the careful choice of materials and color palettes. The precise use of stone, exposed concrete, wood, and metal creates a rugged yet refined interior atmosphere, according to the design team.
△ Construction process
After project completion
△ Axonometric diagram
△ Longitudinal section
△ Longitudinal section
△ Cross section
△ Site plan
△ Lower floor plan
△ Upper floor plan
△ Roof plan
Project Information:
Project Name: nCAVED
Designer: Mold Architects
Location: Agios Sostis, Serifos Island, Greece
Project Design: Iliana Kerestetzi
Consultant Architect: Manos Kerestetzis
Project Team: Iliana Kerestetzi, Konstantinos Vlachoulis, Mixalis Xirokostas
Structural Design: Studio 265
Mechanical and Electrical Design: TEAM M-H
Lighting Design: Nikos Adrianopoulos
Construction Management: Mold Architects, Thanos Vittas
Photographers: Yiorgis Yerolymbos, Panagiotis Voumvakis
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up