A House in Nicosia Transformed into an Introverted Concrete Sculpture: The Philosophy of the Box within a Box

On the outskirts of Nicosia in Cyprus, stands a unique residential building. It sits on the edge of a sparse forest. An architectural vision challenged the conventional open residential concept. The structure presents a model of Carved Concrete. It reflects deliberate isolation and internal protection. From the exterior, the solid mass appears. It resembles a stone sculpture or an impenetrable container. This quality makes the structure an intriguing, enigmatic point in its surroundings.

The Journey Begins with a Vertical Slit in the Wall

The visitor’s experience starts with a dramatic, deliberate transition. The design avoids an obvious, direct entrance. A narrow vertical slit separates the Eastern wall. This slit is not just a regular opening. It is a divider that enhances the sense of crossing a threshold. The visitor passes from the outside world into a private, internal one. They find themselves surrounded by the Carved Concrete. They face the heart of the home: a sky-lit courtyard or atrium. This courtyard functions as the central pivot. Daily life rituals unfold around it. It becomes the dynamic interaction point between the different levels.

The Art of Deconstruction: The Box within a Box

The core concept of the structure clearly embodies the design. The idea centers on the Box within a Box. The outer shell acts as a strong shield. It is a monolithic structure of exposed concrete. This shell measures 14 x 17 meters. Inside, this shell houses a second cube. This second cube contains the living spaces. Intriguingly, the inner cube fractures. It appears eroded into an array of interlocked prismatic forms. This action creates a complex network of voids and volumes. This process manipulates the geometric masses. The manipulation aims to form small courtyards and passages, increasing the spatial complexity.

The Physical Structure: Concrete Tells the Story

The architectural structure narrates its story honestly. The structural system features a three-dimensional grid. This grid consists of beams and columns. They support the outer shell. The design does not hide this grid from view. Instead, it displays it as a fundamental part of the interior design. This approach confirms the seamless connection between material and function. The designers used specific materials and techniques to achieve the massive expression:

• Exposed Reinforced Concrete: The project used this for 85% of the structure and exterior façades.
• Concrete Casting: The process relied on designed molds. These molds create a specific texture. This successfully achieves the characteristic Carved Concrete aesthetic.
• Excised Windows: The façades do not feature extensive glazing. Instead, precise openings exist. These openings frame the exterior views selectively.
• Interior Surfaces: Light, smooth plaster characterizes the interior surfaces. This finish helps reflect the light filtering from the courtyard. Plaster covers 100% of the interior wall surfaces.

Routes and Elevations: Multi Level Dwelling

The distribution spreads life throughout the 190 square meter project space. This distribution occurs across different levels. The central courtyard naturally leads to the common areas on the ground floor. These areas include the kitchen, living room, and dining room. Light bathes these spaces. The light reflects off the pale, tranquil surfaces.

Ascending to the upper floors, one reaches the sleeping quarters. These spaces maintain a consistent atmosphere of serenity and enclosure. The climb to the building’s summit happens via an external staircase. Here, the Carved Concrete journey concludes at a distinctive point. A blue-painted roof merges with the open sky.

The Environment and the Third Shell: The Role of Plants

Despite its current massive appearance, the building carries a forward-looking, environmental dimension. The design prepared the courtyard and passages to host climbing plants. Over time, these plants will grow and envelop the masses. The greenery will embrace parts of the Carved Concrete. This future vegetation will act as the Third Box . This shell will gradually soften the rigidity of the geometric form. It adds an organic layer that moderates the explicit architectural statement.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Perspective

The ‘Domus Aer’ house by Kyriakos Miltiadou in Nicosia imposes an austere, introverted residential model, centered on the idea of a solid concrete box (14x17m) that internally disintegrates into a network of sculpted voids, starkly contrasting with the contextual expectations of marginal urban settings. This explicit adoption of the “concrete sculpture” aesthetic reflects a material boldness worthy of documentation; however, the internal deconstruction may at times appear a formal choice overshadowing functional clarity within the 190 sqm space. The project’s future significance lies in it being an architectural document of the 2025 era, grappling between the urgent need for personal isolation against sprawling growth and the pursuit of self-assertion through tangible structural solidity.