Active Materiality, winner of German Design Awards 2020 in the Architecture category, is the conceptual project of a vacation house complex in Porto Heli, Greece, designed by Potiropoulos + Partners.

The design was inspired by the Argolic topography and the Lernaean Hydra myth, in which the serpentine water monster is killed by Hercules, symbolizing man confronting nature. The building is in fact resembling the natural curves of landscape and is almost camouflaging with it: volumes are combined as if they were part of the environment like huge carved stones.

Promordial and contemporary at the same time, the complex looks like an ancient ruin at first sight. Active Materiality, organized on two levels connected by an outdoor stair, follows the slope of hills. Openings on the facades, covered outside spaces creating patios and a swimming pool complete the project.