Hidden Ladies Suites in Crete

Isometric curves

This project presents a contemporary approach to landscape integration, grounded in the principles of adaptive reuse and a deep respect for the natural and cultural environment of southern Crete.

Context Integration

The site’s location played a pivotal role in shaping the design. With the Libyan Sea stretching out before it and the White Mountains rising behind, the landscape exerts a powerful influence on the visitor. From the mountains, a branching network of gorges and dry riverbeds descends toward the secluded beaches of the south, while human intervention has subtly enriched the native arid vegetation with cultivated olive trees. The project site embodies all three defining elements of the region: unobstructed sea views, dramatic rocky outcrops, and a section of the expansive olive grove.

Design Philosophy

Inspired by the distinctive topography and the warm yet rugged climate of southern Crete, the design seeks harmony with its surroundings. Four suites, each 45m² with a private outdoor area, are seamlessly embedded into the landscape, offering both privacy and open visual connections to the natural surroundings.

The layout follows the land’s natural isometric contours, forming four gentle “valleys” that gradually descend into the earth, each leading to a private courtyard. The “ridges” of the terrain shape and shelter the dwellings, engaging in a dialogue with the site’s vertical rock formations. The existing olive tree grid -a reflection of the area’s agricultural heritage- remains untouched, preserving the continuity of the landscape.

Material Palette

A soft white tone defines the façades and interventions, highlighting the “slopes” of these sculpted valleys in a modern interpretation of traditional local hues. Retaining walls and flooring are built from stone sourced directly from the site, shaping the terrain in the same spirit as the region’s historic dry-stone terraces and footpaths. Cast terrazzo concrete floors further reinforce the sense of continuity with the land. This architectural intervention merges seamlessly with the southern Cretan landscape, offering a tranquil retreat nestled within a wild and elemental setting.