A 200m² residence on a sloping site in Crete is organized around a triangular boundary of stone retaining walls, from which fragmented volumes, courtyards and semi-outdoor spaces extend gradually into the landscape.

Trihedron in Listaros by PT.a | Polychronakis Troullinos architects is a new 200m² residence currently in design. Set within a sloping landscape with expansive views, the proposal begins with a simple geometric operation: a triangular boundary formed by a sequence of stone retaining walls. Rather than defining a closed perimeter, this framework becomes the organizational structure from which the architecture develops.

The built volumes are fragmented, displaced and extended beyond the limits of the triangle, establishing a deliberate tension between geometric order and the irregularity of the terrain. The house consequently follows the natural slope instead of being treated as a single autonomous object placed upon it.

 

A triangular field

The triangular geometry establishes both the physical limits of the intervention and the underlying logic of the plan.

Stone retaining walls define circulation, thresholds and changes of level while anchoring the residence to the terrain. Within this framework, the individual volumes shift slightly in relation to one another and, at certain points, move beyond the initial geometric boundary.

The triangle therefore operates less as an outline than as a generative field. Its clarity provides order, while the displacement of the built elements introduces variation and adapts the composition to the topography.

This approach also reduces the perceived scale of the 200m² programme. Instead of forming a single continuous mass, the residence is read as a sequence of lower volumes following the slope and reinforcing its predominantly horizontal relationship with the landscape.

 

Solid and void

The spaces between the volumes are treated as an integral part of the architecture.

Courtyards, terraces and semi-outdoor areas occupy the intervals between the buildings and the retaining walls, allowing daylight, air and long views to penetrate deeply into the residence.

The distinction between interior and exterior is therefore gradually reduced. Movement through the house alternates between enclosed rooms, protected transitional areas and open spaces, producing a sequence in which the landscape remains continuously present.

Rather than concentrating outdoor living at the perimeter of the building, the proposal distributes it throughout the composition. Voids become part of the circulation and spatial organization, separating the individual volumes while connecting them visually.

 

Following the terrain

The fragmentation of the building responds directly to the inclination of the site.

Small shifts in plan and level allow the different volumes to follow the natural topography without requiring the residence to establish a single dominant datum. The stone retaining walls mediate between architecture and ground, combining the practical role of supporting the terrain with the spatial function of defining movement and outdoor areas.

The resulting composition develops as a series of interdependent parts rather than a single object. This reduces its visual presence while allowing the building to extend horizontally across the slope.

 

Stone and earth tones

The material palette reinforces the relationship with the immediate landscape.

Natural stone is used for the retaining walls that establish the project’s main geometric structure, while earth-toned surfaces reduce the contrast between the built volumes and the surrounding terrain.

Against this material continuity, the clean geometry of the individual volumes introduces a more abstract architectural language. The design therefore avoids a direct reproduction of local building forms, relying instead on stone, scale and the relationship with the ground to establish its connection with place.

Trihedron is ultimately structured around the interaction of two systems: the precision of a triangular geometry and the changing conditions of the natural slope. The retaining walls provide a stable framework, while the volumes, courtyards and terraces modify and extend it, transforming a simple geometric operation into a sequence of interconnected indoor, semi-outdoor and open spaces.

Stone-built form

The project is a 120 m² private residence located in Xiro Chorio, a rural settlement on the outskirts of Rethymno, Crete. Set within an olive grove, the house is conceived as a contemporary stone-built structure that draws directly from the principles of traditional Cretan architecture, both in terms of form and materiality.

 

Design Philosophy

The building is shaped as a compact, solid volume defined by load-bearing stone masonry. The use of locally referenced stone lends a strong tectonic presence and anchors the residence to its natural and cultural context. Thick stone walls, deep-set openings, and strategically placed apertures evoke traditional construction techniques, while precise detailing and clean lines introduce a contemporary architectural clarity. The roof geometry follows a simple gabled form clad with traditional ceramic tiles, reinforcing the archetypal silhouette of rural Cretan dwellings.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Subtle variations in height and volume reflect the internal spatial arrangement, particularly through the incorporation of mezzanines in two of the bedrooms. These mezzanines exploit the building’s section, allowing interior spaces to develop vertically while preserving the compact external form. The residence is organized to accommodate three bedrooms, with a clear hierarchy between private and shared areas.

 

 

Materials & Custom Elements

Openings are carefully positioned and dimensioned, establishing a controlled dialogue between interior and exterior. Narrow vertical and horizontal slits frame views of the landscape, regulate natural light, and reinforce the sense of enclosure characteristic of stone architecture. Deeply recessed window frames further emphasize the thickness of the walls and the sculptural quality of the material.

The interiors are designed as calm, tactile environments where natural light interacts with stone surfaces, enhancing the authenticity of the materials. Overall, the project represents a contemporary reinterpretation of Cretan rural architecture – a restrained stone-built dwelling that respects traditional typologies while responding to the needs of modern living. The result is a timeless, grounded home, inseparably connected to its context.

 

Well-being as design principle

The design of the pharmacy seeks to shape a spatial environment that surpasses the conventional association of pharmacies with clinical sterility. Its architectural approach is anchored in the concept of well-being, which serves as the project’s guiding design principle.

 

Design Philosophy

Inspired by the broader idea of living well, the composition develops through natural textures and warm tonalities, creating an atmosphere that is both inviting and human-oriented. This holistic view of health, embracing physical, psychological, and social dimensions, is translated into space through subtle references to nature, which act as the conceptual and aesthetic foundation of the project.

 

 

Spatial Layout

The 67 m² program is organized into two distinct zones: the main pharmacy and product-display area, and a sequence of auxiliary rooms including a workspace, kitchenette, restroom, and storage. At the core of the primary space, a low central island structures circulation while incorporating both display and storage functions. The service counter is aligned axially with the entrance, ensuring a direct visual connection and a seamless flow between interior and exterior. Perimeter shelving is arranged in precise geometric lines with integrated storage components, supporting both functional clarity and a clean visual identity.

 

 

Materials & Façade Design

The selected palette and color strategy aim to foster an atmosphere of warmth, familiarity, and calm. Soft green hues, neutral beige surfaces, transparent elements, and subtly textured finishes create a balanced dialogue throughout the space. Additional custom-designed furnishings – including the central island, the service counter, and seating pieces – follow a shared design language composed of a green base, a storage volume, and a wooden top, forming a cohesive functional ensemble.

The façade is defined by a green metal lattice divided into four panels that symbolically reference the form of herbal leaves, an aesthetic and conceptual nod to the natural origins of pharmaceutical products. Acting as both an expressive surface and a protective screen, the metal structure alludes to nature and the idea of wellness while providing the necessary security of the premises. By replacing the conventional shutter with a more organic gesture, the design allows the spatial narrative, one that connects health with balance, nature, and serenity, to be perceived even before entering the store.