The Hill Residence on Crete, New Mount Thryptis Home Photos, Greek Island Property Design, Modern House Images
The Hill Residence on Crete
Contemporary Villa on Island in Greece design by Block722
3 January 2023
Design: Block722
Location: northern foothills of Mount Thryptis, eastern Crete, Southern Greece
“The Hill” by Block722 on Crete
latest residential project “O Lofos” (The Hill), a unique piece of art combining Scandinavian aesthetics, simplicity, balance, and purity with the Mediterranean spirit.
Photos by Ana Santl
“The Hill” by Block722 Residence in Crete
The green, wild Cretan landscape, the richness and heritage of traditional arts define Block722’s new project, “The Hill”. Located at the northern foothills of Mount Thryptis on the eastern side of the Greek island, the 280 sq.m. it includes the main building, two guest houses and generous outdoor spaces.
Balancing the needs with the natural environment that combines views to the mountains, the plains and the sea, was crucial in the architects’ design solution. The main objective was the effortless integration of the architectural shell into the wild geophysical background, the optimal utilization of the view, the configuration of spaces with different qualities but also the creation of strong “frames” which, in combination with the elements of nature, light, shadow and air and water would reduce the daily life of the users to a ritual.
A path that descends the slope from the main road leads visitors to the entrance of the residence. The building is articulated in four volumes which are connected to each other through intermediate spaces – some inside and some outside the house. The main residence is divided into two low volumes connected by a semi-enclosed space where the water element dominates.
The design combines natural materials often used in local folk tradition, such as wood and stone. At the same time, the atmosphere is contemporary, combining Block722’s innate Scandinavian sensibility and organic minimalism with influences from Japanese architecture. This is evident through the refreshing simplicity of the design with its clean, almost austere lines that balance the natural, tactile feel of the materials and the rich craftsmanship.
Strong Greek light helps define shapes and surfaces. Playing with materials the architects relied on the feel and rhythm of the environment for both the interior and exterior spaces. The journey of light and the habits of the customers during the day guided the spatial layout in the interior.
Each section and route has been carefully designed to support functionality and frame through visual journeys and spatial narratives that combine indoor and outdoor, natural and man-made. The design seeks to enhance slow living, taking cues from the island lifestyle.
Block722 worked with local craftsmen throughout the build, applying specialized construction techniques to a wide variety of elements of the home. This applies to both the high-quality architectural details and the furniture, the majority of which are custom-made and created specifically for this project, using marble, wood, stone and terrazzo. The furniture collection was named “ANATA” from the Japanese for “you” or “for you”.
Works of art were also important in the overall composition and the house now houses an impressive 2.8 x 1.5 meter sculpture by the Greek artist Pantelis Chandris. The project as an integral part of both the history of the house and the construction itself was named “Post-Landscape”. The mountain “background” and the plain at the foot were the central inspiration and theme of the project, transforming the colors, sounds and atmosphere into materials and space.
The Hill Residence on Crete, Greece – Property Information
Project name: O Lofos
Architectural design: Block722
Year designed: 2020
Year built: 2022
Total Surface area: 280 m2
Predominant materials: stone, wood, plaster
Team: Sotiris Tsergas, Katja Margaritoglou, Francesca Balfoussia, Michael Gryllakis, Christina Kontou, Yannis Mantzaris, Sofia Badeka, Eva Dimoula, Danai Lazaridi, Aristea Topizopoulou
Art Direction: Block722
Architectural Supervision: Block722
Ceramics: Un.processed realities – Maru Meleniou
Creative Direction: Block722
FF&E: Block722
Construction Manager: Nani Kapsoritaki
Furniture marble Constructions: Delta marble
Masterplanning& Architecture: Block722
Lighting Study: Skia Lighting
Special wood constructions: Loupasakis s.a. – Special metal
Constructions: Grammatikakis
Interior Design and Curation and Styling: Block722
Landscape: Outside landscape architecture
Special marble Constructions: G. Houlakis
Furniture construction: Maan made
Sculpture: “Post-Landscape” – Pantelis Chandris
Weaving art: Chrysa Georgiou
Furniture Design Collection ANATA: Block722
Mirror construction: Onentropy
Photographs: Ana Santl
The Hill Residence on Crete images / information from Block722
Location: Crete, Greece
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