Introduction to Maison Cheval
On the sun-bleached island of Schinousa, Greece, Aristides Dallas Architects crafts Maison Cheval as a residence inseparable from the ground it inhabits. Conceived as a structure drawn out of the land, the project follows the undulating topography of the island with stone walls and sinuous paths that unfurl like ribbons across the hillside. Partially embedded into the terrain, the dwelling reinterprets Cycladic tradition through flowing curves, tactile materials, and a deep sensitivity to the rhythms of light, sea, and soil.
Design and Architecture
The architects describe the project as emerging from the earth itself, its form guided by the natural contours of the landscape. Dry-stone walls rise and bend in response to the terrain in a sequence of intimate and open spaces. Concave gestures create sheltered living zones reminiscent of the island’s coves, while convex terraces and pools extend outward like petals toward the horizon.
all images courtesy of Aristides Dallas Architects
Maison Cheval’s Unique Features
The name Maison Cheval, French for ‘Horse House’, anchors the project in metaphor as much as material. The Greek architects imagined the residence as a creature of balance and grace, standing composed against the slopes, leaving only the faintest imprint on the earth. This image becomes a guiding principle in this composition as the building aims to move with the contours of the island and dissolve into its light.
Earth-toned materials, soft transitions, and diffused daylight create a calm continuum between architecture and landscape. The curved stone walls and sculpted roofs cast alternating bands of shadow, reflecting the Schinousa’s rhythm of exposure and shelter.
Aristides Dallas Architects crafts Maison Cheval as a residence inseparable from the ground it inhabits
Additional Design Elements
the Greek architects imagined the residence as a creature of balance and grace
conceived as a structure drawn out of the land
Conclusion
Maison Cheval, designed by Aristides Dallas Architects, is a testament to the beauty of blending architecture with nature. The residence, situated on the island of Schinousa in Greece, is a masterful example of how a building can be crafted to not only coexist with its surroundings but to become an integral part of the landscape itself. With its flowing curves, earth-toned materials, and thoughtful design, Maison Cheval stands as a serene and elegant addition to the island’s natural beauty, inviting all who experience it to appreciate the harmony between architecture and nature.