Constantinos Yanniotis, Alexis Chortogiannis, Stratis Papastratis: Winner of World Design Awards 2022. This project is about a 5* Hotel & Bungalows Resort located in North Crete. To the North it has unobstructed view to the Sea overlooking the Aegeon Pelagos, while the distance from the beach is 170 m approximately. The National Highway that crosses the north front of the plot, poses serious privacy and noise pollution issues that needed to be addressed in order to create a Resort that is welcoming and turns its back to the traffic of the highway. Similar to all northern Crete Resorts, the View to the Sea faces the north, which also sets a design challenge with regards to the orientation of the whole project. Thus the main focus of the Project Layout was to satisfy both the terms of Privacy and Orientation.

LAYOUT

The Bungalows Layout cover approximately the three quarters of the Buildable Area, thus leaving the South East corner for the development of the 5* Hotel which is located at the highest level of the plot. The Bungalows are arranged in clusters of two, three or more units. Between the Bungalows clusters, a series of Swimming and Decorative Pools are arrayed following the gentle slope of the ground. The free, organic form of the Layout applies also to the pedestrian and buggy paths. The main entrance to the complex is located to the North East corner of the plot from where a path leads the visitor to the Main Entrance of the Hotel and to the Lobby in order to complete the check-in and then be transferred either to their Hotel room or Bungalow.

THE “PYTHARIA” CONCEPT

“Pytharia” in Greek is a word used to describe the large Terracotta Containers used to store food or wine in the ancient times. These Containers continue to be utilized until today in various shapes and sizes. Thus the “Pythari” concept is the core idea that shapes the design of the whole complex; i.e. the layout of both the 5* Hotel and the Suites Bungalows.

The Circular Form of the container provides a shelter against the Northern winds and the intensive summer sun, while at the same time it enhances the privacy of each bungalow unit. In addition, this form oriented always to the North-South axis, provides controlled sunbathing and acts as a protective shelter from the noisy front of the National Highway.

THE 5* HOTEL

The Resort apart from the Bungalows Suites Clusters, also includes a 5* Hotel that will operate mainly in winter time, thus reducing the operational costs during the low season.

The design of the 5* Hotel complex follows the “Pythari” concept as well. It consists of several Circular Containers (”Pytharia”) outlined by a curved, perimetric wall in section. The “Pytharia” volumes stand apart from each other, thus leaving an organic form, outdoor space in between for circulation. This arrangement allows for interesting view frames not only to the Sea but also to the Resort complex itself. Furthermore, it relates to the Bungalows Suites Clusters forms, and of course it enhances the morphology of the complex.

The 5* Hotel develops in two levels with the “Pytharia” placed one on top of the other. The Ground Floor of the Hotel is dominated by the common areas, while most of the Deluxe Rooms are located at the First Floor Level.

Project Details
Firm
Constantinos Yanniotis, Alexis Chortogiannis, Stratis Papastratis

Architect/Designer          
Constantinos Yanniotis

Project Name
Pytharia Bungalows & Resort in Crete

World Design Awards Category
Hospitality Concept

Project Location
Northern Crete

Project Team   
Constantinos Yanniotis, Alexis Chortogiannis, Stratis Papastratis

Country
Greece

Photography ©Credit
©Vassilis Simeonidis, Architect NTUA

CONSTANTINOS YANNIOTIS, Architect NTUA

Constantinos Yanniotis is a graduate Architect (NTUA, 2011) and Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineer (University of Patras, 2003). Since 2015, he has been practicing as the Head Architect of Yanniotis & Associates Architectural Bureau, which is an internationally awarded Architectural Firm active in the field of Architectural Design and Planning since 1977. In its long-lasting activity, the Bureau has completed a series of projects, ranging from residential, and industrial buildings, to urban planning, golf resorts, cultural projects, etc.

ALEXIS CHORTOGIANNIS, Architect NTUA

Alexis Chortogiannis received his Diploma in Architecture from the National Technical University of Athens with Distinguished Merit. With working experience over 10 years as an architectural and urban designer on various projects and architectural competitions, his design work has covered a broad range of scales, from detailed design of luxury hotels and residential complexes up to large scale mixed-use master plans. He is employed as a creative director at K-Studio, Greece based architecture firm.

STRATIS PAPASTRATIS, Architect NTUA

Stratis Papastratis graduated from the School of Architecture (NTUA), he owns the Master’s degree in Construction Management (ΗW University of Edinburgh) and he practices as a freelance Architect. Having over 7 years of experience in construction sites varying from the maintenance and expansion of the National Road Network of Greece including its supporting buildings, to the construction of new built Villas and 5* Luxury Hotels, he has been exposed to a variety of different construction industries.