T-shaped dark megalith hosts back-to-basics young family home

To create a light-filled home on a small plot where an adjacent building blocked the southern sun, Tilemachos Andrianopoulos elevated a concrete prism (housing bedrooms for a family of 4) freeing up space below for indoor/outdoor living and dining rooms.
Walls of plants provide “green screens” to give the family privacy inside their otherwise very visible ground floor (three of the walls are all glass).
Owners Eri Mitsostergiou and George Toulantas wanted an open space to raise their two sons and there are only three doors in the entire home. The boys’ bedrooms are connected and doors can slide shut between them if they choose more privacy as they grow up.
www.tensearchitecture.net
Also by Tilemachos: Pythagorean home amidst olive grove offers views & protection • Pythagorean home amids...
*faircompanies: faircompanies.com/videos/t-sh...

[@imranrashid8628]

Kid: “I like turtles” Adult: “I like concrete”

[@mzlleathers7249]

😂😂

[@ShindaRatto]

I like both 😳

[@andread9807]

The kids will grow up to build their house out of turtles

[@batboy3746]

This made me think about, how Europeans raise their children. Is it me, or do they seem more better adjusted to the outside world, then say USA, Japan, China, South America, etc.

[@biohita]

@@batboy3746 south America, really? Nature and parks are a must for us.

[@ColonelCM]

This seems like a house that someone in a Black Mirror episode would live in.

[@matthewrreis]

The perfect home for the Cybertruck.

[@_-_-_-_9407]

a.k.a. the Hipster Hummer?

[@testname2635]

Damn...you are right :D

[@jayjae21jj]

Good one

[@jamiecampbell4666]

​@@_-_-_-_9407 I like that 😅

[@robr63us]

I am fascinated, but mostly confused as to why they spent so much thought and energy trying to get so much natural light in, but then make the whole interior so dark.

[@legolwa]

Like a cave.

[@blokkka9inety293]

yes!

[@INNIMA]

Paul Carter I know right. Gloomiest image of Greece I’ve ever seen.

[@flores23ization]

Its a contrast. Reminds me of futuristic movies like a.i. and blade runner.

[@azansubhie9228]

then why people build domino tower just to see it collapsed? why dont they just scattered dominos?

[@rek8193]

That basement is perfection. The glass wall on the stairwell is a fantastic idea.

[@Julie.Canada]

"Basement"

[@itsallgoodtodayok]

yeahhh basement and lower bathroom are the best.

[@TimothyArcher]

This is a wonderful concept for a family home. I love how the ground floor is so easily made one with the outdoors. The architect has broken with convention in so many ways, to create a living space that is compact, yet feels so spacious. I especially love the way that the basement, is so connected to the rest of the living space. And that stairway is so cool. Just a brilliant design!

[@caznagilder]

Very cool but that pond is gunna to nothing to stop the spread of mosquitoes...

[@bendover2684]

Timothy Sees Glass for the First time

[@mwilson5449]

Sorry as I know I'm replying to an old comment, but the first thing that always comes to mind to me when I look at unique builds is, "How would I navigate it if I was injured or otherwise impaired, as one invariably gets throughout life". Stairway railings would not have killed the design, sad to see them not present.

[@AnnMarieKing]

I derive so much pleasure from hearing architects and space designers describe and rationalise their creations. Thanks for another engaging video, Kirsten!

[@3shellyiam]

I'm not a huge fan of concrete so I wasn't a fan of the house at first glance. While this home is not my personal style I think they have made a great family home. I love the indoor/outdoor nature of the ground level. The way they brought light into the basement is creative and pleasant. The best part is the kids, cat and adults all seem to really enjoy the space and what's more important than that?

[@33ordie]

Absolutely awesome! The moment they introduced the basement my jaw dropped :P

[@msjkelmolol123]

Jacques Morel felt a lot like parasite

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

Quite the marriage of architecture and engineering. Very well done. Congratulations to the owners on such a wonderful abode.

[@lunatickgeo]

I'm always jealous of homes where they can open their house to the outdoors. The mosquitoes here are not to be taken lightly.

[@Alsacien]

We campaigned in our neighborhood to make sure that no one left standing water and it made an insane difference compared to last year. Most people were surprised to learn that mosquitoes live in a 100 meter radius around their place of birth and it enticed many of them to remove pots, cover their rain capture barrels, etc.. I haven't had to kill a single mosquito this year in my home. Last year, it was one every two days on average even though I have nets on many windows.

[@lunatickgeo]

@@Alsacien We're pretty vigilant about mosquitoes but because of dengue it's not something we want to risk

[@henrietta9206]

@@lunatickgeo you guys are great! why cant we more clone more of yous and replace the 200 odd neighbors around me. Dengue really *_can be_* beaten if people just try, sad.

[@robinaltman373]

Add peanut oil to any standing water. The oily film prevents the skeeter larva from breathing.

[@lunatickgeo]

@@robinaltman373 oooh I got to try that! Thanks!

[@clarkclarke]

"of course we have a front door" 😄...l love this house ...they rely out A LOT of thought into the design ... thank you !!

[@abinpathrosevijayan3489]

The narration is so specific that I can actually feel the space along with her reasoning of a design approach. Love the house, the design, the architecture. Throughout the video, I felt wanting to stay in a house like this.

[@jamest.5001]

That is nice, have a yard and a house on a lot, only large enough for a house only! Great idea!

[@tranzco1173]

it's in an expensive city, they have kids (extra bedrooms), and nobody goes outside anymore, because we are becoming robots. Seriously, though, we have a small home 1200sq foot on a large lot, built in the mid 1980's. Up the road a few miles, newer much more expensive homes are large homes 2400+ ft on the same lot, so people can reach out a window and touch their neighbors home, it's insane. Particularly because it's Albuquerque New Mexico, and homes and land here are relatively cheap. City people (real cities) tend to just have a garden, no large yard/lot. This is the house THEY wanted. They are fortunate, and could have made a much smaller home, but this was probably the best economic and lifestyle plan for THEM. When it's time to sell, it is worth more than a small house on same lot. Anyone interested in this nonsense should read "A Pattern Language", which is about making homes for people the way THEY live. Only book you need to read on the subject.

[@lastthotstanding8120]

It starts with "I LOVE CONECREET" LOL

[@foca2002]

The funny thing, english it's not my native language, when he said "I love concrete", I think in English me too pal.

[@Yetipfote]

no, it starts with "help!" 0:10

[@GraceCanadaful]

Great to live in a city that allows experimental/unusual architecture....

[@deeplyclosetedindividual]

Awesome! I love how your kids get to travel all over with you and get exposed to all these alternative ways of living. Beautiful!

[@deeplyclosetedindividual]

@NPC Normalcy Bias Reeeeeeeeee!!!1!

[@ALCRAN2010]

Non Presidential Character bad.

[@deeplyclosetedindividual]

@@ALCRAN2010 Experts: "Orange man worse than H*tler"

[@CaalamusTube]

@@deeplyclosetedindividual man... it's really going mainstream :P

[@deeplyclosetedindividual]

@@CaalamusTube "If we don't fight this threat to our democracy ,we'll end up with Mt. Trumpmore..." :)

[@jinkim4207]

Small pond/fountain: Vines and other plants: Mosquitoes: Yesss

[@josesalvador9118]

haahhahaha

[@innerlocus]

What makes the place great is the garden level and the children running through it.

[@cloudrun654]

I agree. Thought it was a very dreamy environment. Really enjoyed it.

[@kadiannjohnson1612]

An I the only one that thought teen titan in the opening shot.....well thought out layout....the basement was amazing

[@eussonsaw5673]

Was looking for this comment

[@bigstunna2049]

Same

[@descoiatorul]

For people who talk so much about wanting to catch as much sunlight as possible, they sure filled the damn house with dark walls and corners and a lot of shade...

[@tyistrom]

Same thoughts

[@angelhighlight5154]

Silverback Gorrilla what does dark wall has to do with the amount of sunlight coming into the house? Stupid clown

[@vasiliabuckler7957]

Silverback Gorrilla i bet in person it’s a lot brighter. the camera never captures light in the same way we were it

[@vasiliabuckler7957]

see*

[@JOhnDoe-nl4wj]

i think the shade is part of the design. Looks like a very arid, semi desert climate. The woman even said they need the curtans to keep the sand out. My guess is that you want every bit of shade possible to keep the temperature inside down.

[@aaronhorton3508]

I loved this. Nice to see a different take on compact living. Thanks for showing us this, Kirsten

[@o0bluemilk0o]

THIS.IS.BRILLIANT. So private but yet so open and airy. Incredible!

[@johnnohobear8634]

Gorgeous house! Incredible thought went into the design and construction. Usually ultra modern doesn't convey warmth, this house has it in spades. I love the kitchen and those moveable tables on tracks. Brilliant! I honestly can not find a single thing that I would change. The architect is a genius.

[@jennyhughes4474]

Way too many sharp-square corners which I'd hurt myself on and too many heavy windows etc to move. I've got a brain injury so for me (and the stairs!) would be totally unsuitable.

[@Jayapullani]

It is a design in the city that works and softened from the hanging plant on the wall/roof. In the main more open room it reminded me of a meetings office/space but overall some incredible thought went into the design as you described. I am always surprised at the additional thought in modern design spaces, the tables, the sliding walls between the children's bedrooms, all these special touches are so well thought out. The only negative here I felt the place echoed quite loudly from all the voices but maybe it is less without visitors.

[@Jayapullani]

I also hope they hire a window cleaner inside and out, it must be hard work keeping the glass, even kitchen tables crystal clear.

[@ash3rr]

He has exercised a somewhat esoteric balance. It really is a piece of art.

[@FBPrepping]

@@Jayapullani Maybe some felt carpeting in the walls or some wood would fix that. In merry colors, maybe.

[@Terminal122]

Love the exterior, not so much on the interior(Very bunker prison vibes imo).

[@ragemodels]

Beautiful house and philosophy behind it !!! The wife is fascinating she is so passionate about architecture !!! Great find as always !!!

[@JJ-di6ws]

thank you Kirsten. great video. awesome house with extra basement . much bigger than i thought. the design does have a japan zen style to it. wonderful. people also seem happy living in it too.also the kitchen size is a pleasant suprise

[@tamcon72]

Is this not the architect of the Pythagorean olive plantation house? Some elements in common in this home, but with some novel differences. Interesting to see these ideas explored in an urban dwelling on a totally different scale; Thanks For Posting!

[@scorpio6587]

I noticed that, too. Especially the window cuts.

[@tamcon72]

@@scorpio6587 Yep, that's what made me go, this seems familiar . . .

[@weirdtoby]

Don’t know why but those curtains are so pretty I can’t stop looking at them

[@davidcattin7006]

I agree! And moving in the breeze like that is mesmerizing.

[@bambi7563]

Just Toby sheer curtains like that always look beautiful and dreamy that’s why

[@bambi7563]

Just Toby it’s the way they filter the light and blow in the breeze. They add a nice airy softness. It’s my favorite material for curtains

[@mikegarcia597]

It’s like those Egyptian ones in movies lol

[@sylviasanchez7500]

Wow, I sooo love this place. It is stunning stunning stunning.

[@Surfph171]

This way of design is definitely unique. I appreciate how they maximize the space not just to fit in but also to enjoy both inside and outside simultaneously.

[@tarmacsurfers]

The variety you bring to us Kirsten is awesome. Styles, Locations, Narratives, Methods etc etc. The back catalogue on your channel is one I never get bored of revisiting. Thanks again 🤘🏻John

[@marsrover001]

Unique architecture is dying in favor of pre stamped cookie cutter houses. This is a house with thought and care solved by clean design. Thanks for showing it.

[@elleobi]

Was unique architecture ever truly common, though? Cookie-cutter has always been the standard for the masses

[@throwthatassinaprayercircl2662]

@Bunji pizza most people (in the west) can't afford to have an architect provide a unique design for their home. we largely live in cookie cutter houses because they are mass produced and therefore more affordable.

[@pd4887]

Ingenuous, simple and beautiful design for quality living, love this house! Thanks for a great video!

[@misslannie73]

This was fascinating, so clever with how they used the space so efficiently, whilst still retaining the family home vibe xx

[@davidorama6690]

I love this house, I’m in love. I’ve always had a soft spot for concrete architecture yet this building has a soft natural quality using the garden, curtains, glass and breeze. And the pond.

[@piratep]

I love seeing the kids hanging out in the past two videos. My kids like seeing them too. Read the description and I remember the olive Grove house. Very neat.

[@sebastiancardoso]

I love your work, Kirsten. Keep it up :)

[@tbucknor]

What a unique, innovative and functional design! I love the use of the sheers to provide privacy, yet still accessing the outdoors. Thanx for sharing Ms. Dirksen and Andrianopoulos family!

[@FBPrepping]

Lovely design. The basement was a really pleasant surprise. Thanks for sharing this.

[@mariansmith7694]

Amazing, beautiful... I love it

[@jobsingames]

Your channel is WONDERFUL. I look forward to every video and following your travels :-)

[@agingintobeauty]

Great home. Love how these vids always show people moving around in the space. A structure without people is flat & undynamic. Love the production of these vids

[@allisfaith]

This stairs are amazing! It does not obstruct the view outside at all, 👍🏻

[@hojdog]

It looks incredible from the exterior, but the interior seems quite gloomy. For me, I would want to break up the grey with some rich dark wood and have bigger windows on the top floor

[@whetlands]

I was thinking that as well. The green space is quite welcome but so much grey in the interior seems a bit stark and sterile for a house with young children.

[@prva9347]

@@whetlands Yes, the children's room look like they're in an institution. Were they asked if they'd like some colour, some posters, a tree-climbing wall, fireman's pole, anything?

[@LudwigVaanArthans]

The kids also have no feeling of privacy since the parents emphasized "comunication"

[@210demonio]

@Timothy Dexter False. Kimball Art Museum by Louis Kahn 1972

[@alejandroserrano7755]

Thats the thing with using concrete. The inside needs to be decorated more lively

[@skyspy5353]

Love many things especially the stairs and glass bottom floor.

[@SoCalFreelance]

Good for them for having a vision and carrying through with it. And kitty is the perfect touch! 🐈

[@mowilson5588]

Wow, what a cool house. I love the flow and the cohesive nature of the design and its inhabitants. 💜👍🏻

[@kathleenlastname9171]

I like it and appreciate the unique beauty of it, but I could never live in such a dark environment. I have lived in dark homes and it makes it difficult to function and it also gets depressing (to me).

[@theoccasionalvideo]

Why do they need shutters in the bedrooms? There's already no light.

[@jonson11122]

This is Greece. Mediterranean climate. Abundance of light and heat. When they come home they want cool place and privacy (since as you could see from aerial shot, houses are at all sides). Therefore this sense of darkness, since they needed to avoid hot sun but at the same time capture the most light they can.

[@krisx1753]

@@jonson11122 No. This house is still dark even for Athens.

[@leokorn1629]

What a great place. Another place i could easily feel at home. I like your channel.

[@kostas8969]

Stunning home. Really nice that they share their mosquitoes with their neighbors as well ....Why limit their selves?!

[@henrietta9206]

Because when God was freely handing out 'Consideration' some people refused to put that into their lives. Believe me, I investigated certain species of living beings thoroughly, appears humans dont require that to live and breathe!

[@Reaper4367]

Concrete and Glass... amazing what you can arrive at. Thank you for sharing.

[@jeffstumpf9129]

So much thought to every aspect of the house. I loved how the little girl mocked mamma for sounding excessively professorial.

[@FrazySting]

The basement is amazing. I love the working area.

[@solidstateresistor2485]

Where is the basement?

[@judithcangayda4737]

Wow😍 the most simplest yet the most elegan.

[@chioma2577]

This concept and construction are absolutely stunning. Thank you for showcasing

[@victoriastevens3166]

I like that a lot, very unique design!

[@77Tadams]

I like it. It is gray, but it is calming.

[@mariamarshall6116]

Love the design concepts. I moved from dislike to love and felt the embrace of this house, so impressed by the thoughtfulness around what it would feel like to live in the house.

[@thegrandreader291]

The amount of care placed in this design is heartwarming.

[@kymwolfe5203]

I love how EVERYTHING slide n roll.

[@jennyhughes4474]

But it looks like heavy-hard work to do!

[@wasakkable]

I loved this house!

[@delicatesoundsofsatan5523]

This is, hands down, one of the most unique, well-thought out designs I have ever seen. I would love to live in this place. *So cool!*

[@jayesh6687]

Masterpiece,even more beautiful in winter.

[@VanvouverWeightLoss]

Thanks for the unique productions, Kirsten!

[@hisnameisnikita527]

Would like to see more of such houses

[@orensish]

why

[@lefooo]

come to eastern europe, we have all of it.

[@Constantinesis]

@@lefooo What do you mean? It is not the same thing.

[@mzlleathers7249]

Everything about this house is amazing! It’s futuristic & extremely viable for many weather conditions 😃 Love It 💕💕💕

[@el_mas_mafioso]

Another spectacular home!

[@fluffylee]

i feel like i would break something in this house so uncomfortable

[@revamp-ideas101tv7]

While I am a not oppose to Concrete , I would love a little dash of Paint here and there just to give it a little umphhh!! to my liking but overall the layout is spectacular ! I would have not problem living there myself.

[@TheRedverb]

Fantastic. All of it except the curtain room-dividers in the basement. Love, love, love.

[@AprilRyan1985]

Beautiful, such attention to detail but also how the space works as a whole.

[@gfa527]

Aside from the architecture, what I also find beautiful is the use of language they use to describe the philosophy of the architecture. It's just such a pleasure listening to them speak and the choice of words they use. So poetic.

[@Checkedbox]

Reminds me a little of the citicorp building. I love it. It seems somehow perfectly at home in the foliage. edit: Having watched a bit further in, I feel like the uniform dark grey might come off oppressive in the bedrooms. Obviously I'm not there to see how the light illuminates it, but I know I'd want some contrast, perhaps a lighter paint on a wall opposite a window or some foliage.

[@Checkedbox]

@Timothy Dexter I'm not quite sure whether you're in favour of the design or not. Re the bedrooms: sure, bedrooms are best for sleeping, especially if you have the space to commit it, but that doesn't mean that the time you spend there should be devoid of life and more akin to a prison cell, especially with the lack of privacy those kids will get.

[@unapatton1978]

Oh wow, of all the great and unconventional houses you show, this one intrigued me most. Basically they took everything I dislike to create a house I want. I like best the ground floor. The openness of the living room vs. the privacy from the street view. And the elevation of the kitchen.

[@maxmoovin]

Gorgeous well appointed design. A lovely modernist, very high functioning home. Love this report.

[@imari2305]

Very unusual shaped home but I love the kitchen design.

[@silverlicious2086]

Bringing the outside indoors. Other traditional builders should take note. Very creative design with basement to see the trees and sky.

[@thefloorhasgone]

This is amazing and I love that the production of the film isn't hidden.

[@Lexi95Rob86]

I love this house!! Thank you for sharing!!💜💜😁

[@Melch192]

Fascinating design but actually seems very dark. I think the interior painted white would be quite nice.

[@jojodroid31]

It's greece, it's a way to keep the heat out. That being said, the windows underneath do the complete opposite. And they talked about letting the sun in lmao

[@LOL59hahaha]

The dark look is very pretty but for a family with kids, I won't do it like this

[@Jay-cw5bx]

They didnt want their inner quarters exposed. So they chose darker tints

[@planarearther8592]

More neutral to dark finishes inside bring in the outdoors more. I doubt it would feel as dark in person. And the light outside makes the inside appear darker using a camera, versus how it looks to the eye.

[@Jay-cw5bx]

@@planarearther8592 I like this design. In Mexico they use alot of concrete too. I want to build a house like this.

[@Blah115]

Nice concept but it is too dark inside. Somehow depressive for me. Because they have kids they should be consider more lights inside.

[@davidcattin7006]

I have NEVER wanted anything as much as I want this house. Those gorgeous curtains moving in the breeze, the pond, the front door, and that stairway! I couldn't enjoy it fully for most of summer due to mosquitoes here in Indiana. No, it isn't as simple as putting some repellent on. I am a magnet, and now with all the diseases they carry, I just couldn't do it. LOVE seeing a home like this filled with kids, adults, and a cat to see how the space looks when actually used. Photographers often try to get a shot without people, but they add color and scale. Wish more videos and décor magazines would include people. Anyway, if you need me to house sit, call me!

[@ninagoldiloks]

My gosh, fantabuloso. Luv it! It is so becoming.... to them, their fam, neighbors and musing beauty. Astounding!!! Big ups 🖤🇺🇸👊😎 TY.

[@surfside75]

Those echo's though😱 Otherwise oh my gosh, you've built my exact dream home✔️

[@aridill]

You know the director's videos where they explain a movie scene and the choices? I would watch the architect describe the process for a home like this. Every detail is so well designed. magnificent home.

[@rossrreyes]

I love that the kids are always in your videos

[@davina4423]

Personally this is one of the best homes I’ve ever seen I spend hours watching these videos and this definitely ranks pretty high.

[@mariansmith7694]

The "T" feature reminds me of Gobeckli Tepi. I think I would decorate that Thursday a wee bit.

[@thebobsmith1444]

i would live there. the cat at the end made it homier

[@dragonlaughing]

Nice kitchen table! The more I see the more I like.

[@anulkaaw]

A great piece of architecture. I love the solutions and all their choices. The space feels very modern and distinguished whilst being a family home essentially. Very kid-friendly also with the open garden. Impressive.

[@spamonfire1472]

Please showcase more of those concrete houses and if possible show how people actually live in it like in this video where the children didnt really mind the camera

[@SK-Albertan]

Those children are not the homeowners. Is this your first time watching? They are Kirsten's kids.

[@chezmoi42]

@@SK-Albertan The boy with dark hair lives there.

[@Concreetinit]

sounds very strange and suspicious the way you say this...

[@Squee7e]

@@Concreetinit you are projecting your own mind on the OP. That is at least bad style and to an extend a sign of an limited mind and lacking imagination. What if the person just wants to build a house like this himself and wants more input on these?

[@Concreetinit]

@@Squee7e to be honest, thank you for your different perspective on this, i watched a lot of anxiety war episodes back then and i just didn't took this in consideration back then.

[@Palatineoffacts]

pretty good, just worried about mosquitoes with that huge pond and that opening in the wall.

[@dragonlaughing]

Put fish in the pond. No more mosquitoes.

[@Jayapullani]

There are mosquitoes everywhere in Greece, pond or not.

[@gabbituin6269]

Wow. Every edge of this house is just instagramble😮

[@gutiepadil104]

Wow! Beautiful house.

[@vlrdmtr]

I see a million bucks here ... and I like it ... a lot !!!

[@tyxeri48]

So clever! Wonderfully unique concrete house which isn't cold at all, as one might expect!

[@Michelessex]

This is great architectural design, deceptively simple and elegant, a beautifully thought out complete composition; using all the limitations of the sight to advantage. Clearly an architect unfettered by a "clients" limitations. Bravo! and thank you Kristen and company; you never disappoint!

[@fernandocavalcante7776]

This house is so interesting! The open spaces, the basement, the garden... That's the most diferent that I think I've seen in youtube.