On the sun-drenched Greek island of Schinousa, Aristides Dallas Architects has created a remarkable residence called Maison Cheval that appears to emerge directly from the earth itself. The house is designed to be completely integrated with the natural landscape, following the rolling hills and curves of the island through carefully crafted stone walls and winding pathways that flow like ribbons across the hillside.
The architects describe their approach as sculpting a residence that is born from the earth, with the building's form guided entirely by the natural contours of the surrounding landscape. Dry-stone walls rise and bend in direct response to the terrain, creating a sequence of both intimate enclosed spaces and open areas that work together harmoniously. The design incorporates concave shapes that form sheltered living areas reminiscent of the island's natural coves, while convex terraces and swimming pools extend outward like flower petals reaching toward the horizon.
The project's name, Maison Cheval (which means Horse House in French), reflects the architects' vision of the residence as a creature of perfect balance and grace. The Greek design team imagined the building as standing composed against the island's slopes while leaving only the lightest possible footprint on the earth. This guiding principle shapes the entire composition, as the building moves fluidly with the island's contours and seems to dissolve into the Mediterranean light.
The residence reinterprets traditional Cycladic architecture through the use of flowing curves, tactile materials, and a deep understanding of how light, sea, and soil interact throughout the day. Earth-toned materials create soft transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, while diffused daylight establishes a calm and continuous relationship between the architecture and the natural landscape. The curved stone walls and sculpted rooftops cast alternating bands of shadow that reflect Schinousa's natural rhythm of sun exposure and shelter, creating a building that truly belongs to its environment.
