Set into the Syros terrain, Horizon House is conceived as a residence shaped by topography, wind and water scarcity. Excavated stone, planted roofs and passive environmental strategies define an architecture that belongs to the landscape while reducing its operational demand.
The residence is part of ONUS’s award-winning sustainable architecture portfolio and joins other contemporary Cycladic residences across Greece.
Set into the Syros terrain, Horizon House is conceived as a residence shaped by topography, wind and water scarcity. Excavated stone, planted roofs and passive environmental strategies define an architecture that belongs to the landscape while reducing its operational demand.
As an award-winning residence in Greece, Horizon House is rooted in the Cycladic terrain of Syros — an island of granite outcrops, dry winds and limited freshwater. The architectural plan is set into the slope rather than placed on top of it, so the building reads as part of the topography rather than as an object imposed on it. From the approach, the residence is barely visible above the natural grade; the visitor arrives at a stone wall that reveals only fragments of the interior before opening to a horizon view of the Aegean.
Materials are sourced from the site or its immediate region. The walls are built from stone excavated during the foundation work; this avoids transport emissions and integrates the construction directly with the geology of the plot. Reclaimed wood, raw plaster and unfinished metal complete a palette that ages with the island climate rather than fighting it. The structural strategy minimises reinforced concrete, using local stone load-bearing walls where possible and timber for spans. As an award-winning residence in Greece, Horizon House demonstrates how vernacular construction logic can support a contemporary architectural language.
Horizon House combines autonomous energy and water strategies with landscape-integrated architecture. Micro wind turbines harness the Aegean winds, a geothermal system stabilises indoor temperatures, and a 300 sqm Blue Roof collects and filters rainwater for irrigation and domestic use. A greywater recycling system closes the resource loop, while planted roofs reduce surface temperatures and increase biodiversity across the site. Deep-set openings channel natural ventilation throughout the year, eliminating the need for mechanical cooling for most of the season. These strategies, integrated from the first design decisions, are what makes Horizon House operate as an award-winning residence in Greece rather than as a building dependent on external supply.
Horizon House has been recognised in international architecture awards including the Architizer A+ Awards (Best Sustainable Residential Project Worldwide), the DNA Paris Design Awards, and the GRAIL Awards 2025. The residence is part of ONUS’s award-winning sustainable architecture portfolio and joins other contemporary Cycladic residences across Greece.
Horizon House combines autonomous energy and water strategies with landscape-integrated architecture. Micro wind turbines harness the Aegean winds, a geothermal system stabilises indoor temperatures, and a 300 sqm Blue Roof collects and filters rainwater for irrigation and domestic use. A greywater recycling system supports a closed resource loop, while planted roofs and locally sourced materials reduce operational demand and strengthen the site’s ecological capacity.
Deep-set openings channel natural ventilation, while skylights modulate daylight throughout the interior. Outdoor spaces extend the architecture into the topography, blurring the line between built and natural systems.
