Parallel Laminae

Two vacation houses in Kokkino Khorio, Chania

This residential project is organized around five parallel masonry bands, which define both the architectural language and functional framework of the design. These linear elements serve dual roles: they act as primary and secondary façades for the homes while forming the structural base for ground-floor pergolas. The two residences are positioned in an overlapping sequence between these bands, creating a layered arrangement where each unit’s northern façade extends into the pergola of the adjacent home. This continuity establishes a rhythmic interplay – each residence’s northern plane intersects with the prior unit, redefining secondary façades and internal spatial divisions. The pattern repeats, weaving a cohesive yet dynamic relationship between the structures.

The elevated southern terrain further amplifies the emphasis on horizontality, grounding the composition in its context. By fragmenting the building’s mass into interconnected planes, the design avoids monolithic rigidity, allowing the architecture to harmonize with the natural slope of the site. This approach not only softens the visual impact but also creates a dialogue between built form and landscape. The result is a series of spaces that feel anchored to the earth, with pergolas and façades blurring the boundary between interior and exterior, structure and garden.

Ultimately, the project prioritizes clarity and integration. Through careful layering and a restrained material palette, it achieves a balance between formal rigor and organic adaptability, ensuring the ensemble reads as a unified yet fluid addition to its horizontal setting.

Team Members Antonis Dysseakis, Nikos Fournaris, Yannis Prosoparis
Structural engineer Pantelis Diakoumakis
EM study Artemis Koumadorakis
3D Visualization inDetail Architecture
Plot area 4,300.00 m²
Total area 497.56 m²
Design year 2021

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