Oikos

Oikos is a Greek term that refers to family, family’s property and the house. It was the basic unit of society in most Greek city-states. The client is a couple who want a house that can accommodate gardening, farming and backyard poultry for themselves and their children. The house has an open courtyard on the east that opens up to a waterbody on the northeast. Beyond this, a garden is created to accommodate the client’s requirements. Three blocks were created, connected together by the entry space, horizontal and vertical circulation as well as the courtyard. Each of the interior spaces open up to the surroundings at least on three sides, ensuring ample lighting and efficient cross-ventilation, while connecting the interior to the open natural settings of the garden. The house was constructed using hand made bricks as the basic construction material with structures made of concrete. The bricks were carefully picked after visiting at least seven brick fields in order to make sure that they are of the right quality, texture and color. This was an important step to ensure that the house would merge into it’s natural setting. Wood was used for windows and doors to create a harmony with the bricks and surrounding greenery. Steel structures were used tie the three blocks together in the middle.