RESIDENCE OUTSIDE HERAKLION, CRETE
This unique house was built as a permanent residence on the outskirts of Heraklion, Crete. It takes into account social habits but translates them in its own special way.
The ground floor was built upon the footprint of the old house; all that was left of it was a stone wall with two openings. This wall was restored and became one of the main features of the new house.
The main volume of the building is a parallelogram that measures 7.00 x 17.00 metres; it is pierced diagonally by an exposed wedge-shaped concrete slab that dominates the space along its west side. This piercing forms the two storey section of the house while the rest remains a double height space completely open to the north, and serves as a covered courtyard. This architectural feature gives the building its unique character. The main bedroom is upstairs and looks out towards the above mentioned light-filled courtyard.
On the ground floor underneath the concrete slab a small guest room with bathroom was designed; it is separated from the main house by a semi-covered atrium.
Polished concrete is the finished material on the ground floor; the entire roof is metallic and is clearly visible from inside.
In the courtyard, just a few meters from the house, there is a gigantic Australian palm tree which gives a sense of calm but also adds a theatrical touch to the scenery.
The project was delivered with the collaboration of 3Sk Stylianidis Architects in 2006.
