Identity A permanent residence, located in Plakakia,
Aegina, responding to the surrounding one-storey traditional and modern
architecture; A. Konstantinidis, D. Diamantopoulos, K. Dekavalas, are some
of the architects that have left their imprint in this part of Aegina. On
the same plot, there was an existing house by D. Diamantopoulos. Some design
elements, such as the wall color and exposed concrete, were chosen to match
the existing house, in order to form a unified whole.
Organization The house is organized in two levels: the upper
level with the public rooms (living, kitchen, dinning, wc) and the lower
level with all the bedrooms (master, children, guest, clinic, and office).
Materials Concrete cast in place, the upper level is finished
in painted plaster, the lower level finished in local stone excavated from
the land.
'Green' design This is a transitional house in terms of ecological
solutions. It was designed with the input of a Feng Shui consultant, and
has incorporated certain 'green' solutions which are important Aegina.
For example, the house was located on the site so that the least amount
of pistachio trees would be cut - only 2 or 3. The remaining trees were
protected during construction.
The house has an underground water cistern, like the old Aegina traditional
houses, as Aegina has water supply problems. Sometimes in the summer, water
supply cannot meet demand. The water cistern collects approx. 30-40 cubic
meters of water annually, which is used to water the 1,000 sq.meter garden.
The house is very well insulated and has thermo-break aluminum windows and
doors. It is naturally ventiallated and cooled, and in the summer uses ceiling
fans - instead of air conditioning.
Water is heated by two flat-mounted solar heating panels on the roof.
This is one of the very few households in Aegina that not only recycles
its household waste, not only reuses containers and (fabric) bags, but it
also composts its organic kitchen waste and the baby (bio-degradable) diapers
(or uses fabric diapers). High-energy consuming electrical appliances, such
as washing machine and dish washer, are operated during the night, using
low-cost night electricity.
The design process commenced in 2003 and construction was completed in the
summer of 2004.