Aloof Houses*, Voula, Attiki

The Aloof Houses apartment building is located in Voula, a district in the greater Athens area that has seen a significant increase in redevelopment in recent years, primarily through the construction of apartment buildings replacing older single-family homes. Our plot was vacant, with a north-eastern orientation. A key distinguishing feature between single-family residences and apartments lies in their spatial relationship to neighboring buildings and other occupants or owners, as well as the presence of a private garden. These two characteristics formed the basis of our design approach, with the goal of incorporating them to the greatest possible extent into each residential unit—essentially treating each apartment as an autonomous dwelling. To achieve this, the design strategy aimed to minimize shared boundaries between each volume of the residence and those above or below it. This was accomplished through the introduction of intermediate floors (mezzanines) with reduced floor area and generous outdoor spaces. This approach also maximized open-air areas, which for the ground-floor and top-floor residences was more straightforward—utilizing the unbuilt ground-level space and the rooftop level respectively. However, conditions were also created to allow for gardens and courtyards on the intermediate levels. These courtyards serve a dual purpose: they function as spacious private outdoor extensions of rooms and interior spaces, while also contributing to the expansion of the overall outdoor area. The internal atrium enhances the sense of openness and cross-ventilation, with deep recesses articulating the upper slabs and allowing for light penetration. The use of a metal structural system and large, continuous openings on the northern and eastern facades contributes to the visual dissolution of the building mass. Thin metal columns and level variations across the section further introduce a sense of movement and lightness to the architectural volume. An effort was also made to promote autonomous living through the integration of photovoltaic panels atop a pergola on the roof, as well as the installation of rainwater harvesting tanks and systems for the reuse of greywater. Additionally, the entire structure was clad with an external thermal insulation system, and the presence of continuous garden spaces contributes to the creation of a pleasant microclimate.