WHITE CUBES ON THE AEGEAN

HOUSE - Kea Kithnos, kithnos, GREECE

About

This wonderful hillside house is located on a small peninsula that extends from Kythnos Island into the Aegean Sea, overlooking the Cycladic archipelago. Inspired by traditional Cycladic villages, the house is composed of vernacular white cubes connected by stepped white alleys. Like a crystalline sculpture carved from a single piece of white stone, its monolithic volumes stand in striking contrast to the dry landscape of burnt browns and muted greens.

Inside and out, the white staircases playfully create a circular flow through the various levels of the house. Drawing inspiration from the work of M.C. Escher, one can move above, below, and through the space in an almost infinite loop of steps. The cluster of four white cubes is nestled into the hillside at varying elevations, offering multiple panoramic views of the surrounding islands. The presence of the Cycladic archipelago and the ever-changing hues of sea and sky can be experienced from every corner of the home. From within, the small, uninhabited Piperi Island is perfectly framed from all three beds, the bathtub, the dining table, and the sofa. The terraces not only connect the different spaces but also emphasize the Mediterranean landscape. Outside, the roofs of the white cubes can be accessed as elevated plateaus above the rocky terrain.

Accompanying the 200-degree sea view are the coastal winds. However, the various outdoor areas formed by the white cubes face different directions, always providing a sheltered spot regardless of the wind’s strength or orientation. Two staircases link the house to the water on either side of the peninsula: one path leads to cliffs and rocks on the east, perfect for diving into the sea, while the other descends to a small sandy beach on the southwest side.

The property continues over the ridge of the hill, where a small guest house is built into a restored stone barn, complete with an outdoor kitchen and pergola. Throughout the day, one can migrate from sunrise at the main house on the eastern cliffs to sunset at the outdoor kitchen overlooking the beach to the southwest.