Point27 Architects has completed a striking residence in Thessaloniki, Greece, known as Atrium House, utilizing fluted local stone to bring a tactile, textured finish to the exterior. The project celebrates the Mediterranean lifestyle, with a design that intertwines indoor and outdoor living spaces, creating an elegant yet functional family dwelling.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Location: Thessaloniki, Greece
Architecture & Interior Design: Point27 Architects
Project Team: Stelina Tsifti, Panos Chatzitsakyris
Interior Design: Point27 Architects and Vicky Martha
Structural Design: Penelis Consulting Engineers SA
MEP: Margaritis Kehagias and Klimamichaniki
Landscape Design: Fytron Landscapes
Photography: Mariana Bisti
Situated on a tree-filled site overlooking the Thermaic Gulf, Atrium House was designed to fully embrace the surrounding landscape. The L-shaped structure offers the perfect balance of openness and privacy, with the external façade facing the street largely blank, save for a few vertical openings that punctuate the stonework. This choice ensures privacy from the nearby road while preserving the home’s sleek and modern appearance.
“The core concept of the design was to create a house that embraces the Mediterranean lifestyle, where indoor and outdoor living areas are equally important,” explained Stelina Tsifti, co-founder of Point27 Architects. The design celebrates the natural light and shadows created by the Mediterranean sun, giving the home a dynamic, ever-changing atmosphere.
The internal structure of Atrium House is equally impressive. The interior spaces are seamlessly connected to the outdoor landscape through floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that allow the home to be opened completely to the surrounding environment. White curtains create a soft visual barrier between the living spaces and the terrace, allowing residents to enjoy privacy while maintaining a connection with nature.
The home’s terrace, which features a large swimming pool, is one of the most notable aspects of the design. With a canopy formed by the home’s concrete floor plate, it provides an elegant, shaded area for relaxation. “The two internal atria provide natural light and relaxing visual focal points while programmatically acting as buffers between the various spaces of the otherwise open-flow layout,” Tsifti elaborated.
Point27 Architects has used fluted blocks of local stone to create a visual and tactile texture that interacts with the home’s surroundings. This stonework is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical, offering a playfulness that complements the sunny Mediterranean climate.
“The fluted stone was chosen because it provides a tactile feeling that is inviting to touch and offers a playful visual richness when interacting with the strong Mediterranean sun,” said co-founder Panos Chatzitsakyris.
The interplay of materials continues inside the home, where exposed concrete and stone are offset by sleek, minimal white finishes. The kitchen is a study in contrasts, with dark marble countertops and rich wood storage giving the space a modern yet inviting feel.
The L-shaped layout of Atrium House is divided into distinct wings. The southern wing contains the primary living spaces, while the northern wing houses the bedrooms and bathrooms. Two planted courtyards break up the open floor plan, serving as natural buffers between different areas of the house. These courtyards also help to ventilate the home and provide serene green spaces that bring nature inside.
On the smaller first floor, two children’s bedrooms open onto a rooftop terrace, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. These bedrooms are equipped with large windows, sheltered behind movable wooden screens, that look out over the green roof of the northern wing, adding an extra layer of privacy and tranquility.
Atrium House is a testament to the thoughtful and innovative approach that Point27 Architects brings to every project. By utilizing local materials and designing with the Mediterranean lifestyle in mind, they have created a home that is both visually striking and deeply connected to its environment.
The combination of natural light, tactile stone, and seamless indoor-outdoor integration results in a family home that celebrates both modern design and the beauty of its Greek surroundings.
