If you think you know what a Greek villa looks like - all stark white walls, vibrant and somehow obvious in the sunshine - think again. You’re looking at the radical alternative. Villa V by award winning Athens studio Aristides Dallas Architecture is a design that materialises from its landscape rather than sits upon it. As its creators put it, Villa V emerges “like convergent tectonic plates” from the rugged slopes of the northwest Corfu coast.
The one conventional aspect of this visionary Greek villa is its view: to the blue yonder and beyond provided by an uninterrupted view of the Ionian Sea from the expansive middle terrace, fringed by an infinity pool, and forming one of those “tectonic plates" that make up this stunning Greek villa. While requiring the very latest in technology and construction techniques, the effect is as if the Greek villa that is Villa V has always been there, occupied perhaps by a previous generation intent on a life of laid back luxury in the Greek sun. If only.
Because at the moment Villa V is one Greek villa that is a well-realised idea, rather than a built Greek villa to book for the summer. But what an idea it is. The tectonic plate design concept means that Villa V follows the rocky contours of the steep site. You enter this one of a kind Greek villa down a flight of stairs to the rear, emerging into that middle level common space, housing the kitchen and open plan living areas. Through floor to ceiling windows is that huge terrace, that cooling pool and that mesmerising view. Yes, we will have a cocktail, please.
Stone walls, conceived to become part of the landscape as vegetation grows over and through them, anchor the Greek villa to the rocky slope. Landscaping means that parts of the main rooms appear to be within the slope itself, adding to an air of intrigue that’s almost Bond-like. In the midday sun, you’ll be grateful to withdraw for a nap in the cool of the master bedroom suite, with its own vegetation-planted terrace, just upstairs.
Guest suites are on the lowest level of Greek Villa V, accessed through gaps in the stone wall, again as if this was some sort of revived ancient ruin. Stone steps lead down the hill between olive trees to the beach. The studio’s lead architect Aristides Dallas likes to say that “a construction in the Greek landscape is not conventional anymore, but it acquires rigidity, orientation and essence”. Villa V has all of these, and then some. If you’ve the inclination and the cash, please commission this Greek villa to be built, because we’d love an invite. Ours is a vodka martini, by the way.
Up next, inside a Mediterranean villa that resembles a superyacht.
