Residence in Ancient Korinthos

The residence is situated in Ancient Korinthos in a site in whose South part an archaeological excavation of 12mx12m has been previously taken place. The maintenance of the "spirit" of the excavation as well as the relationship of the building with the greater surroundings of historical interest and the particular landscape constitute the main programmatic parameters of the design, at a symbolic and a functional level.

A square shell in projection is opted, which acts both as a stockade of the whole structure and as a borderline of the excavation space, also functioning as a reminder of its existence. Inside this square shell the residence is erected as an independent building, which pops up vertically from the ground as a "continuity" of the earlier buildings. In parallel, the Southeast part of the excavation is left visible, in order to function as an "evidence" of the history of the building continuum in the area.

The residence is developed at two levels. The elaboration of the distinct spaces is characterised, at the ground level by the continuous contact between the internal and external space, while at the up floor by the optional, open or close treatment of view through drilling of the perimetric shell.

The construction of the building is based on the use of metal frame together with insulating concrete frames. These are consisted of twin layer ready mixed reinforced spray cement with a layer of expanded polystyrene in between. The system combines minimal air losses, excellent thermal and sound insulation properties along with structural rigidity. White colour and double-skin wall approach reduces solar gains during summer surpressing cooling loads considerably. Low angle winter sun shines through the openings but during summer the above mentioned double-skin system forms overhangs, providing shading. For the properly positioned openings spectrally selective double glazing have been adopted combining a high value of light transmittance together with a low value of solar heat gain coefficient.

Photos: Charalambos Louizidis

Source: Mies Arch Prize: http://www.miesarch.com/