What makes the architectural vernacular of Greece so unique and evocative" All of those curving corners, whitewashed surfaces, and vivid blue floors give its islands a dreamy vibe that’s perfectly offset by the glittering seas around them. Of course, there?s a practical reason for all that white pigment, too: reflecting the harsh sunlight to keep the buildings cool. Nonetheless, its unifying effect and iconic appearance have become so instantly recognizable that many can now tell when a building is located in Greece just by looking at a photo of it.

Architecture studio 314?s proposal for a residential renovation in Corfu may be as modern as they come, but it retains that distinctly “Greek” feeling thanks to its traditional color palette and rounded arches. Rising above the treetops of an olive grove at the edge of a cliff, the villa is infused with all the drama we?ve come to expect from the Hellenic Republic.
While many cliffside homes are designed to blend into their surrounding environments, seeming more like an extension of the landscape than an artificial construction, 314 went in a bolder direction with this summer residence, which catches the sunlight by day and glows from within by night.

“House in Corfu” takes full advantage of the setting, which offers panoramic views of the Ionio Pelagos. It elevates and offsets its main volumes in a stepped arrangement to create a series of porticos and terraces that look out onto the sea. ...