Stone house, Listaros
Hilltop Mediterranean villa
Located between the villages of Listaros and Matala, the house was built to maximise views of the Libyan Sea, olive groves and the snow-capped Psiloritis mountains.
Planned along the principles of bioclimatic architecture, each orientation of the house was studied accordingly to provide shading. Stavropoulou Architects developed an inventive design for the house, to frame views without compromising bioclimatic principles.
The house is composed of three building volumes. Two of them are single – floored, while the third is a two storey space housing the entrance at ground level and the private area of the master bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet on the upper floor.
The terraces of the single-storey volumes become the verandas for the private area of the house.
All furniture within the house was designed by Stavropoulou Architects, via our usual technique of collaboration and partnership with local craftspeople that have in-depth knowledge of materials.
The house’s interior colour palettes deliberately create a sense of calm, highlighting the warmth of the wooden textures and the hues of the textiles.
Key info
Project: Stone House
Year: 2022
Location: Listaros, Crete
Client: Private
Category: Residential
Area: 360,00m2
Status: Completed
Team
Architect: Elena Stavropoulou
Collaborating architects: Naya Kostarelou, Yiota Pappa
Collaborators
Structural Study : Androulakis
MEP: Konstantinos Psifis
Contractor: Mospet
As we had been very impressed by the realizations of Stavropoulou Architects in Athens, we asked Elena Stavropoulou to design the house we wanted to build on the South Coast of Crete. It has been a fantastic collaboration. She first took the time to advise us on the plot we wanted to buy – even helping us to find the right legal advisors, something extremely precious for foreigners! Then the creative and design process was both extremely fun and productive: she carefully listened to our ideas, and studied the way we wanted to live in the house and around into the slightest daily details. We also share the same concern of having the most environmentally-friendly possible house, and greatly appreciated that she paid such attention to the best thermic insulation; this is not so common with many houses in Crete. With her great team of collaborators, she also analysed the precise orientation and organization of the external pergolas according to the sun, the wind and the seasons: this allows us to have meals outside all year-round without boiling or freezing! Stravropoulou Architects also had an ideal collaboration with the building team, providing them the right support and frame, both technically, administratively, and to react accordingly to the small unpredictable events. We are so grateful to Elena and her wonderful colleagues to have turned our dream into reality!