Located on a steep southern slope of Tinos island, Greece, east of the village of Dio Choria, The Slot House by Katerina Valsamaki Architects is a residential project conceived to integrate discreetly within the Cycladic landscape. The design engages directly with the topography, minimizing its visual presence while framing extensive views of the Aegean Sea and surrounding islands, including Syros, Mykonos, Delos, and Paros.
The architectural approach is defined by two principal gestures: partial excavation into the hillside and a linear incision that opens the residence toward the sea. The house’s main volume is embedded into the slope, with the natural terrain enveloping the rear of the structure. In contrast, the front elevation opens to the horizon through a narrow, elongated cut in the earth, orienting the interior spaces toward the view. A continuous canopy extends along the facade, functioning as both a shading element and a visual marker of the building’s presence within the landscape. Behind it, vertical stone walls constructed from local materials provide structural support and contextual reference, further integrating the building into its surroundings. The project is conceived as a ‘slot’ in the hillside, emphasizing a minimal surface impact while maximizing environmental responsiveness.
A sequence of internal courtyards carved into the massing introduces natural light and ventilation while offering shelter from prevailing northwestern winds. The design team conceives these courtyards as spatial connectors, expanding interior programs outward and creating varied microclimates suited to seasonal use. Pergolas overlay some of these spaces, producing patterned shadows that reinforce the formal clarity of the architecture. At the southernmost edge, a compact, ground-level volume forms the primary visual and physical access point. This threshold volume contains architectural references to traditional dovecotes typical of the island and incorporates views toward the town of Tinos. Adjacent to this volume is a long, narrow pool that spans the length of the house, reinforcing the linear spatial organization.
Material choices reflect regional construction practices, with stone, earth, and exposed concrete used in a restrained palette. The architecture avoids dominant visual statements, focusing instead on continuity with the landscape and measured interventions that support both environmental performance and spatial clarity. Katerina Valsamaki Architects’ design for The Slot House operates through contrast, between excavation and exposure, shelter and openness, constructing a residence that is embedded, responsive, and spatially attuned to its Cycladic context.
▲ Slot住宅位于希腊Tinos岛的山坡之中
Slot House is embedded into the hillside of Tinos, Greece
▲ 建筑墙体采用当地石材建造,使建筑与Cycladic群岛的自然景观融为一体
local stone walls blend the architecture into the Cycladic landscape
▲ 住宅内部观景视野较大,可延伸至附近岛屿
views extend across Syros, Mykonos, Delos, and Paros islands
▲ 住宅在面向爱琴海的一面设计有大型的观景露台
a narrow cut in the terrain orients the house toward the Aegean Sea
▲ 低矮紧凑的墙体堆叠塑造了建筑入口,增强了建筑入口标识
a compact entrance volume defines the main point of access
▲ 建筑顺应场地地势而建,弱化建筑在自然景观中的视野
the structure minimizes visual impact by following the slope’s contours
▲ 内部庭院还能抵御当地寒冷的西北风
internal courtyards also provide shelter from strong northwest winds
▲ 设计师将庭院巧妙地置于场地中,为室内带来更多的自然光线和自然通风
courtyards are carved into the massing to bring in light and air
▲ 住宅前方设计有与建筑体块延伸方向一致的室外泳池,可进一步强化建筑的水平视觉效果
a long, narrow pool follows the main axis of the house, serving as a spatial guide
▲ Katerina Valsamaki建筑事务所设计的住宅与场地环境契合度较高
Katerina Valsamaki Architects shapes a residence that is spatially attuned to its site
▲ 建筑采用当地石材、泥土和混凝土建造,形成具有当地特色的简约风格
stone, earth, and concrete form the restrained material palette
▲ 庭院内设计有花架,可在地面上投射丰富的光影效果
pergolas cast dynamic shadows across outdoor living areas
▲ 庭院的水平与垂直界面在场地与建筑景观之间起到了过渡作用
horizontal and vertical planes mediate between terrain and view
项目信息:
项目名称:Slot住宅
建筑设计:Katerina Valsamaki建筑事务所
项目位置:Dio Choria, Tinos, Cyclades, Greece
建筑面积:230㎡
首席设计师:Katerina Valsamaki, Katerina Charisiadi
设计团队:Katerina Valsamaki, Katerina Charisiadi, Alexandra Baklatzi
项目主管与监理:Katerina Valsamaki, Alexandra Baklatzi
结构设计:ERGOSYSTEM LTD – Chryssanthos Kalligeros, Nelli Tzoumaki
机电设计:MKA
照明设计:Katerina Valsamaki建筑事务所
室内设计:Katerina Valsamaki建筑事务所
装修风格设计:Katerina Valsamaki建筑事务所的Plaza设计师
摄影:Panagiotis Voumvakis
门窗设计:Schüco, Hyline
保温设计:Sika
瓷砖供应:REFIN, INALCO
瓷砖与卫浴特殊构造设计:bagno y bagno
照明产品提供:Bright Special Lighting
石膏板品牌:KNAUF
水龙头品牌:RITMONIO
马桶品牌:TOTO
空调末端设备:Air Grilles
铝型材粉末喷涂:Akzo Nobel
室内外涂料:Vivechrom
外墙和饰面:Dryvit Systems, Inc.
泳池:STELNIC
绿植屋顶:EGREEN ZINCO
插座开关品牌:Legrand
金属和铝结构设计:Komeal
特殊构造设计:METALLOCK
空调系统设计:TOSHIBA
地暖设计:REHAU
热泵和太阳能板品牌:VAILLANT
家具品牌:DESIGN PLAZA
project info:
name: The Slot House
architects: Katerina Valsamaki Architects | @katerina.valsamaki.architects
location: Dio Choria, Tinos, Cyclades, Greece
area: 230 sqm
lead architects: Katerina Valsamaki, Katerina Charisiadi
design team: Katerina Valsamaki, Katerina Charisiadi, Alexandra Baklatzi
project management, supervision: Katerina Valsamaki, Alexandra Baklatzi
structural engineering: ERGOSYSTEM LTD – Chryssanthos Kalligeros, Nelli Tzoumaki
EM engineering: MKA
lighting design: Katerina Valsamaki Architects
interior design: Katerina Valsamaki Architects
decoration & styling: Design Plaza, Katerina Valsamaki Architects
photographer: Panagiotis Voumvakis | @panagiotisvoumvakis
windows doors, and sliding systems: Schüco, Hyline
insulation: Sika
tiles: REFIN, INALCO
tiles and special bathroom constructions: bagno y bagno
lighting products: Bright Special Lighting
plasterboards: KNAUF
faucets: RITMONIO
toilets: TOTO
air conditioning terminal devices: Air Grilles
aluminum powder coating: Akzo Nobel
interior and exterior color coating: Vivechrom
exterior wall systems and finishes: Dryvit Systems, Inc.
pool: STELNIC
green roof: EGREEN ZINCO
switches-sockets: Legrand
metal and aluminum constructions: Komeal
special constructions: METALLOCK
air conditioning systems: TOSHIBA
floor heating: REHAU
heat pumps and solar panels: VAILLANT
furniture: DESIGN PLAZA