Scale House | Kipseli Architects

After many years..we are pleased to announce the completion of an important for us architectural venture, the "Scale House." Situated in the northern suburbs of Athens, in Filothei, this residence stands as an architectural testament to the subtle balance between desire and necessity, joy and pleasure, comfort and luxury. 

The design narrative of the Scale House lies in the reinterpretation of the classic house archetype and its evolution into a contemporary and functional three-storey villa. Comprising of three distinct housing volumes, each serving its own purpose, the residence radiates a clear sense of spatial hierarchy and order. The small housing volume positioned at the front serves as the entrance lobby on the ground floor and one child’s bedroom on the first floor. Meanwhile, the rear small volume accommodates the family room, kitchen, and the second child’s bedroom. The central volume, proportionally larger than its counterparts, encompasses the double-height living space as well as the master bedroom and bathroom on the second floor. 

The juxtaposition of these concrete volumes of varying scales with black metal-outlined window frames, pitched rooftops and charred wood balconies, creates an engaging interplay of form and space, reminiscent of a contemporary village fragment within the cityscape. 

The use of exposed concrete as the primary material throughout the structure not only brings everything together but also emphasizes the design's strength and timelessness. Its intentional use aims to balance the boldness of the design with the familiarity and convenience of concrete in the modern architectural world, while intensifying the contrast between the roughness and brutality of exposed concrete and the romantic notion of a traditional house archetype. 

[ Despite its size, each of the smaller volumes is designed with the same attention to detail and architectural significance as the larger central volume. Half-sized shuttering planks were used for the smaller volumes, while whole shuttering planks were used for the central volume, creating a subtle yet noticeable difference in texture and form.] 

The interior spaces of the house further emphasize the narrative of scale, featuring prominent elements like a gigantic concrete fireplace and an expansive window bookcase. These serve as focal points, infusing the living areas with a sense of grandeur and dynamism. The material palette, carefully curated to enhance the perception of proportion, includes elements such as parquet floors of varying sizes and scarpa terrazzo with its distinctive pattern, along with interior slatted wooden structures that seamlessly integrate diverse functions and spatial uses. 

The design of the "Scale House," however, is not just about the physical spaces and the interaction between small and large openings; it is also about the emotions and experiences they evoke. Despite its undeniable spaciousness , "Scale house" encourages us to question the true meaning of a big house and what we actually need to be happy. It reminds us that sometimes, the small things in life can bring the greatest pleasure and comfort. Essentially, it's an architectural allegory of human desires, with the aim to show how the pursuit of more can sometimes blind us to what we truly need. 

Photography: George Messaritakis 

Website: https://gmessaritakis.com/