- Skopelos building codes and restrictions
By Sam Bevers
Scientia Potentia Est Often shortened to “knowledge is power” by modern culture; this is the basis of the design process. Without knowledge of everything in relation to the project, there can be no easily made plan. When designing a house there is no substitution for the facts. Knowing one’s client well makes the rest of the design infinitely easier, likewise so does knowing the area you are designing in. While this sounds simple, the interview, client survey and research process should be detailed. The client may also demand many redesigns of the house on the basis that the house is not to their standards.
The client survey should give the architect a detailed look into the thought processes of the client. There is nothing the architect should not query about in the survey. Often the building codes of an area will be different than the client imagines, and as such, compromises must be reached.
Skopelos and especially Skopelos Town has been honoured by a presidential decree as a traditional settlement of outstanding beauty. Therefore the building codes mandate that all new constructions must carry the exterior Greek themes, as seen throughout Skopelos. The building code for new constructions and renovation within the town reflects some restrictions due to this Traditional Settlement decree. Some restrictions stipulate that no new buildings shall be of more than two stories. There must be a sloped ceramic or stone roof in the traditional Skopelos style. Doors, windows and balconies should be made of wood.
There will always be nuances to check, so research is absolutely necessary. Even the small things, like for example; The orientation of a house on a plot of land that can make or break a project. Having a deck to enjoy the sunset does no good if the deck faces north on Skopelos, Greece’s greenest island. In the northern hemisphere the sun will be setting more to the south-west. It’s all about the details.
So, ask about everything. Make sure you know your client well, so well that you know their favorite type of jam, where it is in their fridge, and what day of the week they will be putting it on their toast. If you don’t know the details and are not thorough then building a house gets exponentially more difficult. By knowing everything about your clients needs, building codes and nuances of the area the house is to be built in, you can make the correct decision on how to amend with confidence, if there is a snag. You can design a better house than the client could have imagined, and possibly even come in under budget.
