This two storey house that sits on a steep hillside at Panorama overlooking the nearby city of Thessaloniki and the gulf of Thermaikos was originally designed by the notable Greek modernist architect Dimitris Fatouros in 1963. In the 1970s an extension was built on the upper ground floor. The new owners invited us to reconfigure the house to suit their family needs and re-establish its relationship to the surrounding landscape.

Embracing the house’s original layout which is based on a system of atriums our aim was to redefine architecturally the interior spaces and re-establish connections between the spaces as well as the interior and the exterior. The exterior of the buildings adheres to the modernist style retaining its key original features.

In the atriums meticulous details such as minimal frame glazing, flush floor finishes and limited palette of materials dissolve the boundaries providing a constant dialogue between internal and external spaces while offering multiple views between the spaces. Each atrium is enhanced by different type of planting. A single olive tree in the central larger atrium makes it the heart of the house while climbing plants overhang above the smaller one create a play of shadow and light.

The master bedroom has been relocated to a more prime location enjoying views to the city and the sea while a new type of atrium has been designed at the rear of the master bedroom providing a secluded courtyard which offers a sense of enclosure and privacy. The childrens’ bedrooms open up to the back garden allowing for a more direct connection to the outdoor space. The lower ground floor accommodates a new living space for the family connecting the main living spaces of the upper floor to the garden with the new pool.

The materials selected were chosen to emulate a timeless interior while referencing the buildings modernist background.