A Harmonious Blend of Architecture and Environment

Year: 2024
Client: Euroland Crete Group
Place: Chalepa, Chania,Crete
Size: 3.000m²

Our study concerns a building complex with a total area of 3,000 square meters owned by the EUROLAND PROPERTY GROUP in a corner plot of 2.000 square meters in Chalepa, Chania Prefecture.

A Harmonious Blend of Architecture and Environment

Positioned with a northwest orientation, the complex consists of two meticulously designed buildings that perfectly blend with the environment and topography of the land, providing stunning panoramic views of the urban landscape of Chania and the endless horizon of the sea from every apartment.

The central idea of the composition was the creation of a building with distinct volumes that are complemented by outdoor spaces and shading structures. The simple horizontal and vertical incisions with alternating voids along with the participation of the elements of water and greenery (planting) create a rhythmic sequence.

The topographic positioning of the building on the steep slope of the plot was the major design challenge. To address the issues arising from the steep terrain on a large plot with a length of ~77m, the construction of two statically independent building volumes (Building 1 and Building 2) was chosen. In Building 1, there are five apartments and two maisonettes with a loft on the upper level, while Building 2 features six apartments and two maisonettes with a loft on the upper level.

The focus of the design is the seamless, rhythmic composition achieved through the use of discrete, geometric volumes complemented by the exterior spaces and shading structures.

The complex includes 31 fully equipped parking spaces, a gym/spa, and 15 uniquely designed residences. Apartments with permeability and autonomy were created on the ground floors, as well as with exclusive outdoor areas- gardens and swimming pools.

The aim in all ground floor spaces was direct contact with the surrounding environment, both visually and functionally. The properties are demarcated with the use of greenery throughout the configurations and the parapets, privacy is given to the outdoor spaces while an aesthetic effect that improves the overall composition is created.

The gardens and trees planted in the open space, the sections planted on the rooftops resulting from subsidence, as well as the planted rooftops of the building on the upper levels achieve the harmonization of the architectural design with the environment of the area, which is characterized by sparse construction and dense vegetation.

On the floors, several open semi-outdoor spaces were chosen to be created in order to connect the apartments with the balconies or the rooftop areas resulting from subsidence, which, in combination with the balconies and pergolas provided, contribute to an interesting volumetric composition.

The palette that shapes the exterior of the building consists of linear, horizontal, vertical, white as well as light and dark grey elements, lattice pergolas and transparent glass, while the shell itself is maintained in mild colour tones. Furthermore, cladding with light beige plates in a horizontal position has been selected to be placed in small volumes of the building. All these elements come together in a rhythmic sequence and bring absolute harmony to the work.

Regarding the basements of the buildings, which also develop on three different levels due to the slope of the plot, the smallest possible extension was made, namely 230.40 sq. m. < permitted extension = 633.25 sq. m., to avoid soil sealing and assist in the natural flow of the water table. At the same time, 26 parking spaces in the buildings’ basements and five parking spaces on the uncovered part of the plot are provided. Creating parking spaces, especially in a significantly larger number (a total of 31 parking spaces) than the mandatory 12, will ease street parking, improving the overall image of the neighbourhood.

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A Harmonious Blend of Architecture and Environment

The focus of the design is the seamless, rhythmic composition achieved through the use of discrete, geometric volumes complemented by the exterior spaces and shading structures.