The Olive Tree House

Immersed within the the olive trees on the Halkidiki hills in Greece, the small hut by Eva Sopeoglou is a sustainable retreat in harmony with its surrounding nature.

Time Space Existence: the Future of Architecture In Venice

Until November 23, 2025, Venice is the global hub for architectural discussion with "Time Space Existence." This biennial exhibition, spearheaded by the European Cultural Centre, features projects from 52 countries, all focused on "Repairing, Regenerating, and Reusing" for a more sustainable future.

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Eva Sopeoglou designed a romantic summer retreat in Halkidiki, Greece, for a client who asked for a low-maintenance weekend house located on a pristine olive grove hill overlooking the sea, near the monasteries of Mount Athos.

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Img.2 Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, Sithonia, Greece, 2016

Img.3 Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, Sithonia, Greece, 2016

Img.4 Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, Sithonia, Greece, 2016

Img.5 Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, Sithonia, Greece, 2016

Img.6 Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, Sithonia, Greece, 2016

Img.7 Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, Sithonia, Greece, 2016

Img.8 Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, Sithonia, Greece, 2016

Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, interiors

Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, interiors with coloured light

Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, view by night

Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, view of the terrace by night

Making use of digital CAD/CAM technology, every building component was pre-fabricated, and put in place considering strategically the sun position. The rectangular plan of 3 x 7 meters is aligned to the cardinal points and it is sub-divided into smaller rooms, connected by a corridor aligned with the adjacent olive trees.

Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, Sithonia, 2017 — Eva Sopeoglou, The Olive Tree House, interiors with view on the olive trees

The exterior envelope is a lightweight metallic surface which wraps around and it is movable, to provide maximum flexibility. The envelope’s perforated textile-like pattern is inspired by the shade of the trees. This building is part of an enquiry on sustainability and human comfort in architecture, and questions the definition of indoor and outdoor inhabitable spaces.