Askianos Single Family House by Natalia Kokosalaki

Askianos Single Family House by Natalia Kokosalaki is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Silver A' Design Award in Architecture, Building and Structure Design Competition Category.

SilverArchitecture· 2023

Askianos Single Family House

by Natalia Kokosalaki

Client: Kokosalaki | Architecture

Silver A' Design Award Winner in Architecture Category

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The Design

About Askianos Single Family House

Askianos is a single family summer house located in Listaros, Crete, Greece. The home is divided into two volumes by a staircase that leads the view towards the sea and the summer sunset. The volumes are embedded into the hillside, while the pool and the outdoor shower are built into the rock. Local stone and ocher are used in the construction. The windows, doors and shutters are made of wood, and the built in furniture was made by local craftsmen. Traditional Cretan elements meet minimal design, joining indoor and outdoor living.

The Recognition

About the Silver A' Design Award

Askianos Single Family House is a Silver A' Design Award winner, an extraordinarily prestigious recognition granted to top-of-the-line, gorgeous, and impressive designs. Silver winners are tremendously brilliant and exceedingly creative works that illustrate the outstanding expertise, talent, and acuity of their designers. Askianos Single Family House is expected to be a wonderful, showpiece work that is remarkably professional and profoundly innovative. This Silver A' Design Award-winning design is a highly notable, admired invention that benefits and advances the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology. Askianos Single Family House is a vastly envied creation that evokes desires, introduces positive feelings, and sparks amazement and wonderment.

Image Analysis

Color Temperature: WarmSymmetry: HorizontalBackground: No Clear Backdrop

Where to Get It

Sustainable Architecture for Modern Living

We create award-winning architectural designs that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary minimalism. Our expertise spans residential homes, boutique hotels, and commercial spaces, always respecting local heritage while embracing sustainable innovation. From concept to completion, we transform your vision into spaces that honor both environment and culture.

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Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Askianos was designed for a family to use as a summer house in southern Crete. The home is split into two volumes by a staircase leading the view towards the summer sunset over the sea, whilst the masses are embedded into the landscape. Traditional elements and materials of Cretan architecture come together with clean minimal design, blending the building with the landscape, inviting both indoor and outdoor living.
Dimensions & Packaging: 306 square meter home built on a 716 square meter plot of land.
Tags: Summer house, Crete, Greece, Traditional, Minimal, Slow living
Production Technology: Environmental and site analysis dictated the orientation of the house in relationship to the prime views and the position of the sun. Local stone and ocher were used in the construction, and all built in furniture was built by local craftsmen. In keeping with the traditional Cretan architecture the windows, doors, and shutters are all made of wood.
Design Challenge: Integrating the design into a small plot of land and respecting the natural topology, especially a large rock face on the side of the hill, which, by law, was considered a local landmark that had to remain untouched. From a social perspective, we had to ensure the design of the home would respect the local and historical design language.
Research: Type: Environmental analysis. Objectives: To orient and integrate the design into the site. Methodology: Solar and wind analysis using computational tools, view selection and framing from site visit. Data Tools Used: Energy Plus weather data for analysis and solar paths; historical wind data; site visits and research on local architecture. Participants: Full office team. Result: Environmental analysis optimized the design, historical research allowed for selection of construction materials and methods. Effect: The design respects the local architectural language, integrating it fully in its environment, and promoting local artists and craftsmen.
Inspiration: Traditional Cretan architecture and a respect for the natural environment inspired us to design a home fully integrated into the Cretan hills. Local materials such as stone and ocher are used extensively throughout the design, and local craftsmen and artists have left their mark in the home. From the built in furniture to the fabrics and textiles, to the masonry stone and hand made ceramic tiles, Askianos is what pure Cretan living is all about.
Project Duration: The home was completed in 2021 in Listaros, Crete.
Operation Flow: Circulation has been guided to frame prime views from the plot, and the home has been fully integrated in its natural environment on the hillside. The outdoor shower has been carved into the rocks, and the pool is built into the rock, too, inviting a tactile connection to the natural environment.
Team Members: Architect: Natalia Kokosalaki
Image Credits: Photographer: George Messaritakis