ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Kinsterna Hotel in Monemvasia, Greece by Divercity ArchitectsJuly 10th, 2018 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Divercity Architects Kinsterna Hotel is a five-star hotel in the Peloponnese, near the Byzantine fortress of Monemvasia. Surrounded by olive and citrus groves, the 17th century estate has a fascinating past, spanning Byzantine, Ottoman and Venetian times. Revealing these layers of history was integral to the mansion’s restoration and conversion into a country hotel and spa. Recreating a self-sufficient and sustainable community was an essential part of our mission to revive this long-abandoned landmark.  Memory is embedded in the textured surfaces of the buildings, Image Courtesy © Cathy Cunliffe
 The successive phases of construction are rendered visible in contrasting stonework and thick plaster facing, Image Courtesy © Cathy Cunliffe Kinsterna, cistern in Greek, is named after the water feature at the heart of the property. For centuries, water has breathed life into this fertile landscape from a source high in the mountains, cascading down a creek before it is channelled into the cistern. Water is the central element of the design concept, weaving nature into the architecture and threading the historic and new buildings together. Irrigating the surrounding orchards, vineyards, and kitchen gardens, water also supports the hotel’s environmental philosophy, enabling the revival of traditional activities that were once the lifeblood of the estate, such as wine and olive oil production.  The swimming pool meanders through the grounds like a river, Image Courtesy © Cathy Cunliffe  The outdoor dining area, a series of raised platforms floating above the original cistern, Image Courtesy © Cathy Cunliffe In phase two, we were commissioned to design a substantial extension to accommodate additional common areas. Designing a modern building alongside a historic mansion, while remaining sensitive to the natural environment, posed a number of challenges. Our solution was inspired by the tiled, pitched roofs of Byzantine Monemvasia. We unfolded and extended this recognisable form to create an abstracted roofscape that speaks to the region’s undulating hills, as well as the guest’s unfurling journey through the estate. Thanks to careful consideration of the position and geometry of the new building, its large volume almost disappears when viewed from the pool.  Image Courtesy © Yiannis Alefantou  Image Courtesy © Yiannis Alefantou  Image Courtesy © Yiannis Alefantou  The main pool is positioned at an angle, extending the views of Mount Taygetus and medieval Monemvasia, Image Courtesy © Cathy Cunliffe  Image Courtesy © Divercity Architects  Image Courtesy © Cathy Cunliffe  Local construction methods and materials capture the atmosphere of the original building. Ceilings feature exposed stone vaults, cypress beams or traditional woodwork, Image Courtesy © Cathy Cunliffe  Skilled local craftsmen were brought in to restore original features like this fireplace. Lace patterns are etched onto the walls, an intimate touch that reinterprets tradition and craftsmanship, Image Courtesy © Cathy Cunliffe  The natural flow of water spills gently into the cistern and pool, Image Courtesy © Cathy Cunliffe
Contact Divercity Architects
Tags: Greece, Monemvasia Category: Hotel |
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
|||||
email
Facebook
Twitter
RSS Feed
