Residence in Drapanos, Apokoronas
Construction/ -
Designed/ 2024
Client/ Cretan Life Properties
Plot/ 1.349,05 sq.m.
Area/ 63,28sq.m.
Set within the traditional settlement of Drapanos in Apokoronas, this single-storey stone residence reinterprets the character of local architecture through a contemporary lens. Designed for private use, the house sits harmoniously on a gently sloping site surrounded by olive trees and native vegetation, a few kilometres from the sea.
The composition follows a clear, compact layout on one level, accommodating a bedroom, an open-plan living and kitchen area, a bathroom, and auxiliary spaces. Outdoor living is an integral part of the design: shaded terraces and pergolas extend the interior towards the landscape, creating a continuous dialogue between built and natural environment.
Architecturally, the project blends traditional stonework with clean modern volumes. The load-bearing structure is reinforced concrete, combined with stone infill walls in varying tones of warm brown and mocha plaster. The alternation between plastered and exposed masonry surfaces generates rhythm and depth, evoking the tactile quality of vernacular Cretan dwellings. Slanted stone walls “embrace” the main volumes, softening the geometry and rooting the building to its site.
Lightweight aluminum pergolas with wicker shading elements filter sunlight and enhance the Mediterranean ambiance. Openings and joinery in mocha tones complement the earthy palette. Minimal landscaping preserves the existing flora, reinforcing the sense of authenticity and integration with nature.
The residence embodies a balance between tradition and modern comfort — a restrained architectural gesture that respects its setting while offering a timeless, serene living environment.
