Architecture Wednesday: Villa Mandra

After last week’s Minnesota rustic cabin, with it’s emphasis on   wood, I have opted for a modern beach house in Greece; light and bright; stone and stucco; nearly tree-less landscape but, oy, that sea view. This home, the Villa Mandra, sits on the ridge of the hill of Aleomandra in Mykonos, and yet is almost entirely hidden from view .The six-bedroom holiday house looks straight out to sea and the sunset over the neighboring island of Delos, Villa Mandra celebrates its spectacular view from a sensitively landscaped, stone-walled garden that screens it from the road behind.

In order to enjoy the outdoors on those scorching summer days, the patio living and dining areas are fully shaded overhead, but open to the pool and the sea beyond. And even though the house is built for large gatherings, it nestles into the landscape, so as not to overtake it and rise above it.

There are two small traditionally whitewashed volumes and a third one built of stone dug from the site, built around a large ‘courtyard’ covered by a chestnut pergola. This courtyard becomes the focal point of the house, seamlessly connected to the  indoor living room and the kitchen volumes and looking over the pool. Beneath the pool garden are the private bedrooms, separated for privacy, but each with its own garden and sea view.

It’s cozy and comfortable, while able to house large groups of people; it’s simple and yet luxurious; you can gather together, or go your own way.

I’m already packing.

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