Villa Mia Zoi, Paros

Lead Designers Vasiliki Malakasi

Entry Description

Villa Mia Zoi is a whitewashed Cycladic style residence in Ampelas, Paros. The seafront site overlooks Naxos and is remote, with a few residences scattered nearby. The existing villa is recently renovated, and lighting becomes the narrative connecting the primary entrance, parking, main house, guest houses, terraces and all key exterior spaces including dining, lounge, pool areas, pétanque court & landscape.

The challenge was to align the exterior lighting design of the residence and its many different build components with the client needs and the existing electrical connections with minimal disturbance on the building fabric. The brief was a soft, discreet low-level illumination with concealed light sources and lighting details integrated into the existing architecture.

Emphasis is given on the 4 handpicked olive trees by the dining area that act as the main backdrop of the outdoor entertaining area. The olive trees are illuminated top and bottom. The lit effect is staged and theatrical, with multiple shadows creating a playful composition.

Flexible scene settings allow for different moods and merge old and new luminaires such as the handblown glass pendants and the canopy spotlights. Additional, lighting provides ambience and highlights key architectural details: BBQ area, monolithic entrance marble bench, sails canopy by the guest houses & facade door frames perimeter.

Sustainability Approach

Smart lighting controls allow for flexible scene settings and low-level illumination where required. Exterior lighting is minimal, selective and carefully placed to highlight key architectural elements. The rest of the landscape is illuminated with low level wall lighting, discreet bollards and plant uplights that promote wayfinding and circulation.
All luminaires feature carefully selected optics and antiglare accessories. Old light sources are replaced with LED and all new luminaires are concealed or have a discreet visual impact.
The upward lighting is minimal, so the overall lit effect is respectful to the rural location. The lighting is designed to prevent glare, skyglow and allow for views out to the sea.
Lighting merges together all exterior spaces and acts as an invisible conductor that creates a synthesis of light and darkness and brings Villa Mia Zoi to life.

Company Description

Idea Design is an independent design consultancy based in Greece and UK. We offer architectural lighting design services. Idea Design ltd was first established as a limited company in 2013 in London by Vasiliki Malakasi. Vasiliki is an architect turned lighting designer with experience from a variety of key international projects, high profile clients and collaborations with architects for over 20 years.
We believe in TOTAL DESIGN, integrated solutions where lighting is another design layer enhancing architecture and facilitating the use & activities of each space.