Athens-based Mold Architects designed a small 180-square-meter boutique hotel dubbed Homa Vagia. It has a unique architectural style that has been formed along the cliffs of Serifos Island. The project consists of three independent accommodations, each with two bedrooms and a small living area. The outdoor area is proportionally much larger than the indoor area, including the kitchen, living, dining, and private pool for each unit.
This project is reminiscent of a charming union of history and contemporary design. Located along the southern edge of the island and instantly recognizable by its flat, perforated roof, Homa Vagia integrates seamlessly into its unique environment to reveal the continuation of the rocky landscape and the horizon beyond. Architects try to pay homage amid the remnants of the past mining era. The scarred landscape along the south coast of the island of Serifos is dotted with the remains of mining facilities.
The project becomes a landscape that tells the story of a comfortable second-level residence. It features a network of underground galleries, accessible through room-sized cavities, that serve as a reminder of the area’s rich subterranean and cultural heritage. With this scenario, the architects wanted to embark on a mission to revive below-ground housing; this is what the core idea of the design was based on.
Inspired by cobbled paths and railroad tracks that cut through natural landscapes. Homa Vagia begins with two slashes that assimilate seamlessly into the terrain. These lines define the two base platforms, acting as the foundation for the lodge. The buildings have a slightly rotated position; each inn ensures privacy and offers views of the ever-changing sea.
When approaching the inn from the roof, visitors are guided by a linear staircase that serves as a hidden gateway beneath the surface. As visitors descend into the depths, terraces, steps, and swimming pools come into view, originating from the reduced square and orthogonal volumes of the plane. The carefully crafted space, flooded with natural light, creates a living space that is both functional and inviting.
Homa comes from the Greek word meaning earth, as well as a tribute to the relationship between the project and the earth element. The architecture adheres to a monolithic nature, which emphasizes the use of the materials used. Earthen mineral pigments are plastered in, furniture is made of polished white concrete, and the natural stone framing the construction suggests sculptural processing of natural soil. These choices evoke a sense of harmony and oneness, displaying the inherent beauty of the project’s composition.
Homa Vagia is the perfect combination of historical architecture and contemporary design. Set in a mining landscape in the south of Serifos, the project carefully integrates a linear configuration, pays homage to the heritage of the area, and provides a serene and harmonious living experience. Homa Vagia stands as a testament to the transformative power of architecture, showing how careful consideration of context and a heightened appreciation of the past can produce spaces that are truly awe-inspiring.
architect: Mold Architects
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