Latypi Residence draws from the archetypical architecture of Greece

White structures sloping down rocky contours, meeting the sea at the ports with narrow stone-laid alleyways and gradual steps connecting every level, abundant shades of blues—sea, sky, and dome roofs—and occasional earthy tones of sand and greens, define the visual identity of the Greek islands. The islands have always contained the uniqueness of their built environment and while most regions have witnessed a drastic wave of modernism and globalisation in their architecture, the country in Southeast Europe has held its white palette close.

Hence, the architecture of modern Greece is a narrative of white boxes, stacked on rocks and sloppy terrain, with volumes that occasionally pierce through the landscape, rising through the contours. The buildings are guided by their topography, with the buildings flowing among the solid ground and not above it. This pattern can be witnessed in projects, such as Sinas Architects’ Xerolithi House, Mold Architects’ nCaved, and, Block722’s Villa Apollon and O Lofos residence, to name a few. Therefore, when you see a white submerged building with a geometric volume that navigates the levels through an interplay of circulation, in Greece, it doesn’t raise much curiosity. So, what makes the Latypi Residence in Mykonos, Greece, by A31 Architecture Construction more than 'just another Greek villa?'

In the 4000 sqm of the plot, the 340 sqm built area of the residence is spread across two levels, with 120 sqm above ground and 130 sqm subterranean. At level +0.00 (64m above sea level), the Greek architects have placed all the main spaces—living room, kitchen, dining room and two bedrooms. At level +4.00 (68m above sea level), are two bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. Then comes the outdoor spaces that flow through these functional indoors to blend them into one building.

“The Latypi project converses with the archetypical architectural legacy as well as the Cycladic terrain, situating itself as a contemporary intervention within the landscape. The concept has been inspired by the local sculptural tradition, which has produced timeless artworks throughout the centuries," share the architects. What distinguishes Latypi Residence from a conventional modern villa is its unique blend of traditional spatial planning principles with modern minimalism. The villa unwraps in a series of stairs running through the site and among the indoor spaces, connecting and separating them at the same time. At level +0.00, all the spaces are developed around an atrium, with an unyielding olive tree—rooted in the Mediterranean landscape—in the central courtyard. Here, even small elements, like the tree, become an element of memory.

In the open plan of Latypi Residence, where the main living areas flow from one to another without the hindrance of a wall and within the maximum transparency of floor-to-ceiling glass openings, the identity and memory of the space dwell not in the furniture but in visual pointers framed through openings. At the entrance, the wrought iron gate marks the starting point, after which one witnesses the wide opening to a low-height corridor where the sun casts a geometric shadow on the ramps.

This then leads to a narrow open walkway with steps leading to the main area which takes one from a closed cave-like space to an illuminated open space framing the oceans, like a portal. At the end of the stairs, one enters a geometric box, with an open plan, where statement furniture separates the space, but amid the colourful and modern chairs, tables and lighting designs too, the node attracting attention would be the olive tree in the courtyard, connecting these living spaces. From there the swimming pool marks the cliff and the last point of the residence.

Similarly, at different pauses of the residence, a unique factor marks the memory of the space. Though the architecture is there, the scale, lights, shadows, trees, rocks and water come together to form Latypi Residence. In technical terms, one can say it's the landscape design and programming that leads to these experiences. But, when seen from the perspective of a narrative of unravelling, through a series of spaces, reminding one of the streets of Greece, these elements are like nodes of a city, one that even American urban planner Kevin Lynch wrote about. Though these might sound conceptual, one can find these nodes being connected and intentionally planned in their section. On assessing the built-to-unbuilt ratio of the residence in sections, there is a hierarchy that places natural features and circulation over the building.

While creating these spaces the architects relied on the south orientation that they chose for different spaces, as well as the careful and continuous intent to weave the hardscape and soft scape of the building into the natural Mykonian landscape. Talking about the project, the architects add, “The landscape design is based on the existing natural terrain, borrowing from its elements, and reinterpreting the variety, textures, and colours of native plants to create a new palette. The goal is the least possible alteration of the natural landscape in combination with the reassimilation of the local vegetation in the intervention areas. The proposed xeromorphic plantings are resistant to similar soil and climatic conditions and have overall low irrigation and maintenance requirements.”