The Treelithon project, designed by Not A Number Architects, reinterprets the rural stone house of Chalkidiki, nestled on a sloping plot beneath mature pines and ancient olive trees

The Treelithon project reimagines the archetype of the rural stone house of Chalkidiki, set within a long, slender plot where the land descends in a quiet, gentle slope beneath a canopy of mature pines and ancient olive trees. Suspended between mountain and sea, this project was conceived as both a family refuge and a place of hospitality — a house shaped equally by intimacy and openness.
The decision to use load-bearing perimeter walls made from locally sourced stone has tested the limits of traditional building practices in contemporary construction, whilst anchoring the project in its rural context.

Set within a long, narrow plot defined by a gentle slope and a mature landscape of pines and olive trees, Treelithon reinterprets the typology of the Greek rural stone house through a composition of three interconnected dwellings. Developed by the architects as their family holiday retreat, part of the project needed to be able to operate as short-term rental accommodation in order to be financially
viable.

The design was shaped by several key constraints: the long and narrow proportions of the plot, the presence of mature trees that we wished to preserve, and local building regulations requiring the built volumes to remain attached rather than fully detached. The resulting elongated Z-shaped configuration responds directly to these conditions, creating sufficient distance and privacy between
occupants while weaving carefully through the existing landscape. The composition establishes a strong relationship with two landscape anchors at either end of the site: a small pine canopy that functions as a covered outdoor retreat for our family, and a long
swimming pool positioned at the opposite edge for guests. This elongated composition is conceived as a contemporary interpretation of a trilithon: two upright, monolithic edge volumes supporting a central horizontal one. This gesture creates a clear architectural identity while allowing each unit to express its own internal logic. The dwellings unfold over one, two, and three levels respectively,
offering a gradient of spatial experiences—ranging from single-storey horizontality to vertical stacking—each with distinct entry sequences, spatial rhythms, and framed perspectives toward the garden.

Outdoor terraces extend the architecture into the landscape, acting as transitional platforms that negotiate between interior life and the lush environment. These terraces, variously shaded by timber pergolas or sheltered by mature trees, provide spaces of gathering, dining, contemplation, and privacy. Their arrangement enhances the project’s linear morphology while fostering subtle interrelations among the three households—balancing communal potential with independence. The terrain itself becomes an active design element. Slight grading interventions sculpt the sloped ground into a flowing network of paths—some paved, others composed of stepping stones—that choreograph movement throughout the site.

Material authenticity and environmental responsiveness guide the construction. The structure relies on load-bearing perimeter walls made from locally sourced stone, reinforcing the project’s deep connection to its rural context. The monolithic volumes are deliberately and strategically perforated with openings that frame the vegetation, modulate daylight, and foster passive cross-ventilation. Timber is used extensively—not only for window frames but also for the long-span pergolas and operable sliding panels that regulate solar exposure, airflow, privacy, and views. This layered system allows residents to adapt the architecture to changing seasons and patterns of use.

Inside, the material palette is restrained yet tactile. Stone walls appear either exposed or white-rendered, allowing the interplay of texture and light to animate the interiors. Floors are finished in terrazzo with subtly coloured pebbles, adding refinement and a sense of continuity with the surrounding landscape. The in-situ concrete slabs are left exposed, celebrating structural honesty and providing thermal mass. Timber furniture, staircases, and doors introduce warmth and craft, softening the mineral tones and reinforcing the project’s sensorial balance.