- Project: Magma White
- Architect: KKMK Architects
- Location: Greece, Santorini
- Year: 2025
- Photography: Yiorgis Yerolymbos
On the quiet side of Santorini, Magma White stands as the architectural rebirth of a 2000s residence, reimagined by KKMK Architects. Originally a fragmented home from the island’s construction boom, the residence has been transformed into a deliberate, layered composition rooted in geometry, volcanic stone, and Cycladic tradition.
Geometry as a Framework for Transformation
The design began with the existing skeleton but introduced a new geometric system that redefined circulation and hierarchy. Wrapped in local volcanic stone, the house gained clarity, structural balance, and framed views of the horizon.
At its center lies a linear pool, offset deliberately to realign the interior with the landscape. The pool becomes both a corrective axis and a spatial bridge, connecting domestic life to the volcanic setting.
Outdoor Living Rooted in the Landscape
Magma White extends into the terrain with a carefully shaped outdoor topography. A series of stepped terraces incorporates an open-air cinema, shaded seating zones, and a barbecue area, creating a layered domestic landscape.
On the slope below, semi-subterranean guesthouses reinterpret the traditional Cycladic hypóskapha in a contemporary manner, acknowledging heritage without resorting to nostalgia.
For more inspiration, see our feature on minimalist Cycladic house designs in Greece.
Architecture as Movement and Sequence
The architecture unfolds as a journey of transitions. Movement begins at the street, passes through the entrance, interior, courtyard, and finally descends to the guesthouses. A continuous corridor acts as the spine, linking spaces and creating cohesion.
This rhythm of movement is not ornamental but embedded into the architectural experience, making transitions central to the project’s design language.
Material Precision and Interior Language
The materials are restrained yet expressive:
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Local volcanic stone for permanence
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White cubic volumes for brightness and balance
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Perforated metal staircases for light and shadow interplay
Inside, the atmosphere remains open with carefully zoned functions. Interiors feature bespoke joinery, built-in shelving, Volakas marble, and handcrafted beds, creating a tactile, site-specific language.
For similar textural projects, explore modern stone house designs.
A Dialogue Between Past and Present
Rather than erasing its origins, Magma White builds upon them. The house becomes an architecture of layers and integration, rooted in its volcanic site and reframed through deliberate geometry. KKMK Architects have transformed a once-generic residence into a timeless Santorini home that balances heritage with modernity.
