ateno's clay-coated house overlooks mountains and the sea on a greek island

gaia’s terracotta tones echo the warmth of the earth

Ateno Architecture Studio’s Gaia residence seeks to renegotiate the traditional notions of luxury, embracing a philosophy grounded in simplicity and the use of raw materials. Despite the seemingly contradictory character of the chosen materials against the lush green island backdrop in Greece, the house exudes an intimate and inviting ambiance. Its warm clay terracotta tones resonate with the landscape, creating a space that conveys the feeling of being cradled within the earth, as if carved from the land itself. Rustic textures, of handmade terrazzo, marble, and wood, uniformly applied to walls, floors, and ceilings, come together to establish an ideal environment for a summer residence.

all images © Yiorgis Yerolymbos

ateno sculpts the house with minimalist geometries

Meganisi Island, known for its vibrant landscapes and pristine waters, provided the perfect setting for the project. Perched atop a ridge and surrounded by century-old olive trees, the design of a two-storey building, originally conceived and permitted by another architectural firm, underwent a complete transformation, preserving only its structural framework and core spatial arrangement. Responding to the building’s irregular geometry, defined by tangent rectangles, Ateno Architecture Studio’s design introduces an extensive wooden pergola, that serves as a unifying element, and evokes the sense of an expansive canopy floating above a podium, rising from the earth.

The clay house features five distinct bedrooms complemented by expansive seating and dining areas, seamlessly blending private sanctuaries with shared living spaces. Nestled in the embrace of nature, the exterior space, spread across three levels, integrates with the topography. Its focal point lies in the middle tier, where the swimming pool, remote yet inviting, connects the upper and lower levels. Surrounded by vibrant greenery, the upper-level provides occupants with panoramic views of the Ionian sea and Pindos mountain range, while the lower level, embedded in the terrain, creates a secluded retreat.

Gaia becomes part of the island landscape

the project embraces a philosophy grounded in simplicity and the use of raw materials

its warm clay terracotta tones resonate with the landscape

the view through the living spaces opens up towards the Ionian sea and Pindos mountain range

muted tones and raw textures create continuity in color and form

wide openings connect the living spaces with the landscape

light and shadow moves through the space

vivid colors contrast with the muted material palette

warm wooden textures complement clay surfaces

the main facade, framed by wild greenery and illuminated from the interior

from above, light outlines the geometry of the house

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project info:

name: Gaia Residence
architect: Ateno Architecture Studio | @ateno.studio

location: Meganisi, Lefkada, Greece

architect team: Elias Theodorakis, Yiorgos Fiorentinos (Ateno Architecture Studio)

collaborating architect: Spiros Giotakis

structural engineer and supervisor: Angelos Kourtis
MEP engineer: Ioannis Mavrokefalos
contractor: My Ionian Group
client: Polydeykis S.A.

photographer: Yiorgis Yerolympos | @

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom