a solid square carved open to the sky

On the Greek island of Serifos, Athens-based MOLD Architects shapes its M Residence around seven open-air courtyards carved into a square volume. From above, the terracotta-colored home looks almost like a diagram. Its flat roof is punctured by irregular openings, revealing planted gardens and shaded passages within the building’s compact outline. The residence occupies an exposed site in Lia, where its geometric silhouette stands against the dry, rocky hills overlooking the Aegean Sea.

The project has an unusually long history. Architect Iliana Kerestetzi first developed the design in 2011, during the early years of her practice, though it remained unbuilt for more than a decade. When new owners revived the scheme, the architect returned to the original drawings with a different perspective. The central concept remained, while the rooms opened more generously toward the courtyards and the material palette grew warmer.…