Ground Up, residence in Palaiochora, Crete

This 240 m2 residence, is located North and on a higher level than the village of Palaiochora.

The location and the orientation of the home were defined by the view towards the Libyan sea from the South, the strong West wind, and its relation towards the road. The building is located according to the North-South axis. At the same time, a limit towards the west side and the strong winds is being created, while it is raised on the east side with respect to the road, to provide privacy.

The home is being developed in three levels. The daily functions are taking place on the ground floor and the bedrooms on the upper levels with a view towards the South and the ocean. Our main goal was the building’s harmonization with the identity of the area and the visual minimization of the overall volume.

The design is being inspired by the surrounding landscape, following three main directions. The harmonization of the ground floor and the visual relationship with the rocky landscape, the utilization of the upper levels’ view and the breakdown into individual volumes aiming to the harmonization with the area’s mild scale.

Towards this direction, on the ground level, the concretion of the glass and the stone and the creation of various recesses, offer an interior-exterior interaction, while it is being visually harmonized with the rocky landscape.

The organically shaped planted roof, as an architectural aspect, acts as a cover for the ground floor and as an exterior space for the upper floor. It also means the visual transition per height, from the earth towards the view, since it constitutes a “transport” of the ground on a higher level, on which the distinctive white volumes of the bedrooms are being developed with an unobstructed view towards the horizon.

Regarding the interior design, the general approach was focused on delivering a sense of tranquility and various unencumbered views to the mountain and the sea. Mild and natural colour tones are combined with fine furniture lines and thinly designed special constructions, so that the exterior remains the undisputed background for every space.

Project: Residence

Project type:  New building

Location: Palaiochora, Chania, Crete

Interior area: 240 m2

Exterior area: 450 m2

Year of study: 2021

Estimated year of construction: under construction

Architectural Study: Parti Architecture

Structural design: Efthymiou Engineers

Exterior design and lighting: Parti Architecture

Editing and architectural rendering: Parti Architecture

Ground Up residence,sketches, landscape

The design is being inspired by the surrounding landscape, following three main directions. The harmonization of the ground floor and the visual relationship with the rocky landscape, the utilization of the upper levels’ view and the breakdown into individual volumes aiming to the harmonization with the area’s mild scale

PLANS
  • Ground Up residence, masterplan
  • Ground Up residence,second floor level, plan
  • Ground Up residence, first floor level, plan
  • Ground Up residence, ground floor level, plan
  • Ground Up residence, basement level, plan