Situated in Agios Nikolaos Lassithi, the site comprised of multiple challenges. The design brief called for the Renovation and Reuse of the old existing buildings and transforming them into a boutique hotel that combines exclusivity and the highest standards of luxury.

This distinctive hotel naturally sheltered on its own mini-peninsula comprise 16 rooms and suites, many with private pools. Makridis Associates strategy to unify the scattered elements of the existing buildings was to overlay a grid of pergolas, with louvres and Fabrics that provide sun and wind protection and improve the energy efficiency of the building. The inspiration for the design actually originates with the courtyard house typology of the traditional Cretan house. The courtyard gives hierarchy to the spaces, frames views of the sea and sky, encapsulates landscape into architecture, and creates an overlap between interior and exterior. Each room features one large window that fill the space with natural light, and great view towards Aegean Sea. All of the hotel rooms differ from one another, but are cohesive in their use of the custom pattern plywood wall. The material palette used throughout the project was chosen to complement the hues and textures of the landscape, with stone, wood and earth Kourasani walls all used to harmonize with the natural surroundings.

With this project, Makridis Associates ambition lies in utilizing the courtyard to unify a complex site and program, while the rough materiality and layered spaces seek to redefine tradition with a modern architectural language.