Local studio Kapsimalis Architects created Monolithus, a holiday villa on the Greek island of Santorini, which is designed as a geometrically shaped structure covered with earth-colored cement. The design of the four-bedroom villa outside Finikia village is inspired by the concept of a large block of volcanic rocks that have been eroded for centuries to open up space. The resulting “artificial stone” is a 20 x 20 m concrete block made up of an angled courtyard and patio, with high walls covering a series of interior spaces.

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“The artificial boulder looks like it was there from the beginning, like a volcano erupting, shaped by elements of nature, sea and wind,” —Kapsimalis Architects. Located on square bases, the two rooms with kitchenettes form a V-shaped opening to the north next to the main residence, each space connected to a private terrace, which ends with a small separate swimming pool. Steel columns supported by perforated metal canopies shade the seating areas next to these pools, while the outdoor seating area is located in a nearby pebble-paved sunken circle. The main living room and restaurant on the west side are enclosed by a larger terrace, which connects to the front of the residence, where stairs lead to the basement lounge. Above, a curved “erosion” form accommodates an additional bedroom with an arched roof, which is connected to an elevated terrace overlooking the surrounding landscape.

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Inside, the space is designed as a cave-like shelter, and the white ridged walls are also designed to look like a space carved out of a boulder. “Handmade furniture made of concrete, black stone, marble, wood, iron, velvet, clay and glass is thoughtfully placed in indoor and outdoor spaces,” —Kapsimalis Architects. “During the summer, guests use small pools to keep cool around boulders surrounded by wild spiky Mediterranean plants,” Kapsimalis Architects designs many holiday homes in Santorini, often inspired by the traditional architecture and natural landscapes of Greek islands. Previous projects include a fortress-style vacation home designed to look like a rock, and a series of vacation homes that occupy a converted cave.

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