Set into the rocky terrain of Tinos, Crossed Lines is conceived as a residence organised by two intersecting lines. A cross-shaped plan embeds the architecture into the landscape and opens it to a 180-degree view of the Aegean, while a wood-dominant construction and passive ventilation strategy define its environmental character.
Crossed Lines is a contemporary Cycladic architecture project on the island of Tinos, designed for a sloping site of granite outcrops on the southern coast. The plan is generated by two intersecting axes that organise the entire building. One axis frames the long Aegean view; the other follows the contour of the terrain, embedding the structure into the rock so that the architecture appears to grow from the ground rather than land on it. This balance of geometric clarity and topographic response is what defines the project as contemporary Cycladic architecture rather than vernacular pastiche.
The cross-shaped plan creates four distinct outdoor spaces between its arms — each with its own orientation, shading and use. The west arm opens to sunset views; the east arm to morning light and shelter from the prevailing wind. A central courtyard at the intersection acts as the social heart of the house and as a thermal buffer between interior zones. The architecture remains low and horizontal, respecting the typical Cycladic skyline and avoiding visual interruption from neighbouring properties.
Roughly half of the construction is wood, paired with local stone, lime plaster and minimal concrete to anchor the house in its island setting. The wood-dominant approach lowers embodied carbon and supports rapid, quiet construction in a remote location. Cross-ventilation paths run through all primary rooms, drawing the prevailing northerly wind across the plan and reducing reliance on mechanical cooling. As a contemporary Cycladic architecture project, Crossed Lines demonstrates how geometry, climate and material together can produce a residence rooted in place.
Crossed Lines has been featured in international architecture distinctions including the Architizer A+ Awards and DNA Paris Design Awards. Crossed Lines joins ONUS’s contemporary Cycladic residences and the studio’s award-winning sustainable architecture.
