Residence in Crete: A Masterpiece by Anna Garefalaki - 3 Plus Architecture

Award-winning Design Merges Architecture with Nature and Local Climate

The residence, located in Heraklion, Crete, Greece, was completed between January 2013 and October 2015. The design team, led by Anna Garefalaki, included George Sirigonakis (Structural Engineering), Lefteris Charonitis and Kostas Sirigonakis (MEP design), and Panagiotis Voumvakis (Photography).

The design inspiration for the residence came from the desire to create a building volume that faced the sea, the only visual connection to the landscape. The design aimed to foster a constant dialogue between the external element and the residence. The result is a building with austere and closed external sides, protecting privacy within, while the internal corner houses the everyday living areas.

The unique properties of the design lie in its spatial organization and close contact with nature. The use of volumetric voids and transparency blurs the distinction between exterior and interior, allowing the landscape to become part of the living area. The color white predominates, and in combination with contemporary materials, it highlights formal structures and the simplicity of the design.

The design's realization technology is characterized by the implementation of bioclimatic elements such as the atrium, shading, use of thermal insulation, geothermal energy, and other building elements. These, along with the orientation of the building, contribute to the reduction of the residence’s energy load. Large openings allow natural light to penetrate the interior, adding thermal efficiency during the winter period. Shading surfaces are used as filters that control sun flow in the living zone, and offer protection from western light during the summer.

The design faced challenges due to the site's limited views to the sea and neighboring buildings blocking the south and part of the north. However, the team successfully created a building volume facing towards the sole visual connection to the sea, establishing a constant dialogue between the residence and nature.

The Residence in Crete is a shining example of how architecture can be harmoniously integrated with nature and the local climate. Its award-winning design not only showcases the prodigy and wisdom of Anna Garefalaki - 3 Plus Architecture but also sets a benchmark for future architectural designs.