If you happen to find yourself on the outskirts of Nicosia, the largest city in Cyprus and also the capital of this Mediterranean haven, you would do well to be on the lookout for a contemporary urban residence with striking design features that will be a treat to your eyes. In a sloping plot with a narrow façade, KOLLEKTIF – Urban Hillside Residence is the latest work by IQONA Architects that reminds us of the potential of architecture to tell the most beautiful, imaginative stories we can imagine, if we dare allow our minds to wander.

KOLLEKTIF – Urban Hillside Residence was developed as a powerful two-storey residence by the immensely talented team at IQONA Architects. Led by founder Christodoulos Christodoulou, the team embarked on an ambitious mission to maximize the level of convenience, comfort, and tranquility for a contemporary family routine. The client specifically requested IQONA Architects to imagine the house and create a home that better catered to their needs. In response, Christodoulos and team conceptualized an imaginative story told in soft and subtle tones.

Inspired by materials that create a timeless impression, IQONA Architects used white surfaces with touches of bare concrete and white oak to add an unexpected element of vibrancy that was enhanced by the verdant vegetation intelligently placed around the property to lift the energy of the space. “The family really wanted a tranquil environment that would encourage them to rest and relax together. With this in mind, we relied on lush vegetation to create a sense of escape from the busy world around them,” explains Christodoulos.

He further mentions that the team was inspired to create a variety of experiences within the home. For example, the interior spaces were separated from each other in such a way that the vegetation and the water feature could be seen from several angles at the same time, allowing everyone in the home to engage with the it simultaneously yet independently no matter where they were in the house. “We really wanted to create a memorable living experience, one that invited each resident to embrace the house in fullness so that they could truly enjoy all that their reimagined home now has to offer”, explains Christodoulos.

The outdoor space is divided into separate zones. It is split into a relaxation area and a play area, which was very well received by the young members of the family. The living room, surrounded by the pool, separates these two zones but in a manner that allows their instant integration by opening the oversize sliding doors.

IQONA Architects’ unique approach to design is on grand display in the interior of the house, too, with the staircase taking a prominent position therein. It is in the heart of the building and creates a perforated circulation core between the internal spaces – adding an elegant grandiosity to the residence while extending its internal dimensions to add volumes of space. The installation of parallel perforated layers of architectural elements imbues a feeling of safety and privacy while allowing the viewing of selected points of the landscape and the surrounding area.

According to Christodoulos, “for me and our IQONA Architects team, architecture is storytelling using the language of the landscape and built form, shaped by the values and needs of its users. This fundamental aspect leads to a self-evident statement – that every project demands individual attention for a refined and unique result”.

In recognition of the exceptional work on this project, which is largely a function of the team’s passion, Luxury Lifestyle Awards announced IQONA Architects as winners in the category Best Luxury Architecture (Single Residential Project) for KOLLEKTIF – Urban Hillside Residence, Cyprus. This leading architecture firm was founded by Christodoulou almost two decades ago and has become a leading hub of design innovation in Cyprus. Specializing in residential, commercial and industrial architecture, IQONA Architects is a widely respected studio that continues to go from strength to strength. The team’s work on KOLLEKTIF – Urban Hillside Residence is truly impressive and is a wonderful exhibition of their talent.

While Christodoulos and the team expressed due thanks with utmost humility, the award comes as no surprise for those who have watched this innovative studio ply its trade with an impressive diligence over the years. We sure hope they continue to.

For more about IQONA Architects, visit https://iqonaarchitects.com