Homa Vagia by Mold Architects, is a boutique hotel located in Vagia Serifos spanning 180 m², offering three independent lodgings, each featuring 2 bedrooms and a compact living area. Notably, the outdoor spaces surpass the indoor areas in size, boasting kitchens, living/dining areas, and private swimming pools for each unit. The project’s context lies in the southern region of Serifos, once marked by extensive mining activity.
Remnants of this industrial past, such as abandoned facilities and cobbled paths, inform the design ethos, aiming to revive a subterranean housing concept. The design incorporates the site’s natural curvature, introducing two angular lines that blend seamlessly with the landscape, forming two flat platforms for lodging placement. Each unit is strategically rotated to ensure privacy and offer varied sea views. Access to the lodgings is via linear staircases from the roof, symbolically marking the transition into a “new ground” of habitation below the surface.
This concept draws parallels to the adits of mining galleries, serving as the sole source of light in the darkness. Throughout HOMA, elements of nature and earth are prevalent, with the use of earthen mineral pigments in plaster, white polished concrete for furniture, wood, and natural rocks framing the construction. This aesthetic underscores the monolithic essence of the design, rooted in the sculptural manipulation of natural soil.
The interplay of voids and solids within the architecture creates functional and inviting living spaces illuminated by natural light, reminiscent of the atmospheric qualities found in mining galleries. In summary, HOMA embodies a harmonious fusion of contemporary design with the rugged landscape of Serifos, paying homage to its mining heritage through thoughtful integration of historical remnants and a unique subterranean living experience.