In Ammoudara, a small village near Agios Nikolaos town in Crete, a scheme of six new villas was designed in two plots. The plots spread on a hill with an amphitheatric sea view. On the upper plot of 1.500sqm are placed, two villas of 200sqm each, with exterior spaces and a pool.
Key factors influencing the architectural design and spatial arrangement of the buildings were the panoramic view of the sea and Mirabello Bay, the topography and geometry of the plot, the surrounding natural and built environment, and the need for privacy from neighbouring structures, as well as between the new residences.
Due to the narrow shape of the plot, the four buildings were strategically positioned in pairs at two different height levels. The height difference between the two pairs ensures an unobstructed sea view for every villa.
The importance of the uninterrupted sea view and the need for shading of the exterior spaces led to the design of floating pergolas. The building envelope extends towards the view and creates a frame from which shading planes are hung. This design creates the illusion that the pergola and the deck come out from the building, as one element, like a floating structure on the water. The pool behaves as a fluid organism connecting the exterior areas.
The vertical shading planes provide privacy and refer to louvred window shutters, which together with the geometric form of the buildings evoke a subconscious sense of a village to both passers-by and inhabitants.
In addition, the internal courtyards facilitate natural light penetration into the building’s interior, enhancing spatial perception and creating a sense of continuity between interior and exterior spaces.
Materials such as textured beige stucco, earthy-toned aluminium and metal pergola frameworks, wooden louvres, and stone retaining walls contribute to the buildings’ subtle presence within the landscape. The muted grey-green hues of the swimming pool waters further reinforce this integration.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
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INTERIOR DESIGN
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PROJECT SUPERVISION
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LANDSCAPE DESIGN
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LIGHTING DESIGN
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ΤΕLFORD 46 ARCHITECTS DESIGN TEAM
ARIS THEODORIDIS
MANOS TSELAS
IRO MATTHEOU
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
DIMITRIS THEODORIDIS
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
CHARALAMPOS POULIS
PROJECT MANAGER
GIORGOS VELIMVASAKIS
3D VISUALIZATION
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