ílios (ήλιος, Greek for the sun) is the rebirth of a neglected 1980s structure into a serene, contemporary home for Patrick and Ani Sarkissian. The design draws on the family’s Greek and Armenian roots, translating heritage through the language of light, proportion, and material restraint.

Transformation

Once considered unsalvageable, the existing framework was stabilized and distilled to its essence. A street-facing colonnade that had been purely decorative was reinterpreted as a quiet reference to classical rhythm. At the center of the home, an elliptical skylight, the namesake ílios, follows the sun’s movement and brings a living quality of light to each space.

Cultural Narrative

Patrick Sarkissian, entrepreneur and founder of the nonprofit OneArmenia, envisioned a home that could bridge his family’s life in California with the sensibility of the Mediterranean. The result is an atmosphere of warmth within simplicity. Soft plaster walls, pale oak, and Calacatta Gold marble evoke the tactility and lightness of the Greek islands without direct imitation.

A Living Gallery

The main corridor serves as an evolving gallery for Greek and Armenian artworks, creating a thread of personal identity within the architectural composition. Custom bedrooms for the couple’s daughters and a generous kitchen support family life and connection, forming a balance between privacy and gathering.

Sustainability

Much of the original foundation and framing were preserved to reduce embodied carbon. Operable openings promote natural cross ventilation, and abundant daylight eliminates the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours. The house performs quietly and efficiently, relying on balance rather than technology.

ílios is an architecture of renewal and belonging. It captures the poetry of light and memory, allowing everyday life to unfold with calm precision.