The ‘panosikoma’, or upper-level extension, is a traditional building technique that refers to the design and construction of a new house on the first floor of the existing family one. The “flying box” in the Chaidari area is such a typical Greek ‘panosikoma’.
“For this project, I adopt basic notions of modernism, like abstraction, pure geometry, and white color, having them reinterpreted through the lens of Emotional Functionalism. Instead of approaching the resident’s functional needs as basic or ubiquitous, I conceive them as a complex set of practices that are culturally defined, socially oriented, and emotionally charged.
In the case at hand, the owners, a young couple, embraced the opportunity to have a house built according to their own needs and wishes. Yet, they both voiced their fear of living so close to the young husband’s parents. In response, I enclosed their house behind a blank wall to protect their privacy. On the first floor, one finds two bedrooms and a bathroom opening to courtyards nestled behind the peripheral wall, which functions as a well-defined border between the two families. A two-storey volume stands out behind the white box. A staircase tucked in the heart of the residence leads the way to the upper floor in a theatrical way, split into two parts: the first is accessed through the courtyard and the second, mirrored through a glazed wall, connects the two floors internally. The steep slope of the roof opens up into a living room and a kitchen overlooking the city. At sunset, a large window wall reveals everyday life scenes. In contrast to the chaotic neighborhood, the new residence suggests a disciplined, simple, and austere facade. It also functions as a white canvas reflective of the vibrant and diverse Athenian landscape. The extension comprises a steel frame with dry board walls. The outer wall is slightly elevated from the terrace. This split at its base divides the two houses. The new residence looks like it’s almost flying: it protects the privacy of the young couple while giving them freedom and independence. In that sense, the house is transformed into a flying box.”
