The unique subterranean abode of two summer homes in Greece, the Nonagriam twins, was the favourite amongst the thousands of entries from across the globe, that won the international architectural award Architizer A+ Awards 2020.
Designed by the Greek architectural firm A31, the dwellings are modern and rigorous and blend beautifully into the Cycladic landscape of Andros, making the most of the spectacular views overlooking the sea.
“The fact that we made the finals -the 5 best projects globally- was in itself an important recognition. But to receive the first prize is a huge distinction for our firm and for modern Greek architecture in general,” founder of A31, Praxitelis Kondylis, told Neos Kosmos.
“We feel joy and pride. At the same time this recognition gives us the energy and courage to continue to work hard to meet the architectural needs of people, with respect to our Greek culture.”
It is not the first time that the architectural firm A31 has received Greek and international awards and distinctions in architectural competitions in its seventeen years of operation. Their projects have featured in exhibitions and public spaces in Athens, London, New York, Budapest, Barcelona, Bilbao, Ljubljana, Nicosia and elsewhere.
The Nonagriam Twins in Andros is modern and rigorous, the design bears clear lines and is organically entwined in the island’s natural landscape. The aim of the project was to fully integrate the construction within the surrounding area, utilising the plot’s seamless view and location to create open spaces overlooking the sea. These summer homes are energy efficient with geothermal heating and a construction that minimises the need for heating or cooling all year round. Covered with ‘green’ roofs, they blend beautifully into the natural Cycladic landscape.
“Our architectural goals are to reinterpret the principles of universality, integrating our designs into the surrounding environment, creating functional organisation of spaces, working with accuracy and an economy in the means and material we use to implement our projects, so they are authentic and unpretentious. By introducing the environmental values of reusability and sustainability, we aim to minimise or if possible eliminate ‘the carbon footprint’ of our constructions.
All this in combination with the correct use of building technology and state-of-the art material, we wish to create architecture that is pioneering, environmentally friendly and timeless.”
The architectural firm A31 Architecture, was founded in Athens in 2003 by Praxitelis Kondylis and it consists of a team of architects, designers, engineers who work on a wide range of projects, from construction to internal design and even furniture design. In 2007, civil engineer Panagiotis Karras joined the firm as head of the construction team, creating the engineering department of the firm and its expansion to A31 Architecture Construction.
Praxitelis Kondylis studied Architecture and Architectural Engineering at the Technical University of Budapest. He continued his post-graduate studies in Spain, at the University of Catalonia and obtained his Doctorate at the Barcelona School of Architecture.
Enjoy a few examples of projects designed by A31 Architecture in the gallery below. Photos supplied.
