Within the Earth: Sunken Stone House on Sifnos by Alexandre Pavlidis

Paris-based architect Alexandre Pavlidis has completed Within the Earth, a residence on the Greek island of Sifnos that is embedded within a series of sunken drystone terraces stepping down a coastal hillside. The design references the region's agricultural terraces used for growing olives and grapes, aiming to make the house 'almost invisible' and a continuation of the existing landscape. The home is entered from the base of an existing shepherd's hut, leading to a skylit atrium with a shallow pool that separates bedroom and living spaces. Living, dining, and kitchen areas open onto a large terrace, while bedrooms are set back behind stone supports for privacy. The lower level features a pavilion-like shelter supported on drystone columns beside a swimming pool. Light is introduced through small open-air patios and a cylindrical shower beneath a deep skylight. Materials include rough drystone walls, exposed concrete ceilings, polished stone floors, and oak frames and furniture to create an 'inhabited' feel. The project was featured on Dezeen, with photography by Alexandre Pavlidis and Simone Bossi. Nearby, Mold Architects completed a hospitality retreat on Serifos and the sunken NCaved house, both using stone from the site.