Following a roof slope study made by the architects behind Atika, each space of the house has been considered independently in terms of its orientation and the incidence of sun via the roof slope and window openings. The roof angle depends on the need to absorb or protect from the sun incidence. It varies in southern European latitudes from about 30° in winter, 50° in spring and autumn and 74° degrees in summer.

In winter, it is most necessary to absorb the heat of the low sun. In summer, on the other hand, the sun is high and the building needs to protect itself much more from excessive radiation. In spring and autumn, the roof will better absorb or protect depending on its angle to the sun.

This seasonal behaviour gives the volume of the house its characteristic form. Raised above ground as a fully detached housing unit, Atika has abundant daylight. An important aspect of daylighting and specifically in southern architecture, is the controlling and shading of sunlight to ensure the use of daylight during the winter season and to protext against the sun during summer.

 

All Atika’s roof windows have external roller shutters, except for the high northern window over the bedroom, which has external screens. The external elements are combined with electrically operable interior shading blinds. All shutters and screens – except for the VFE windows – are operated by remote control or automatically following pre-set parameters.

The low roof windows and frontage panels provide a good view outside. The high roof windows spread the daylight optimally.

The walls and floors have light-diffusing colours so as to create the best possible internal reflections.

Due to the good thermal insulation of the building shell, the main criteria for placing the windows are defined by the summer conditions.