The Al Mare Complex is a unique residential complex with a total area of 8,000 square meters, strategically located at the port of Corfu. It consists of two buildings, each four stories high, with a total of thirty-two apartments. On each floor, there are eight apartments, ranging from 70 to 150 square meters. On the ground floor of the buildings, there are both apartments and shops, while the two-level underground section includes parking with a total of one hundred parking spaces and additional storage areas.
Due to its geographical location, the port of Corfu has played a decisive role in trade since ancient times, continuously adapting to the prevailing conditions. This adaptation represents an ongoing dialogue between East and West, highlighting a timeless cultural value for the history of architecture and urban planning.
The information we have about the architecture of ancient Corfu is limited due to the destruction the city suffered. During the Venetian-Turkish wars, Corfu once again became a crucial point. The constant threat led Venice to implement a grand and continuously updated defensive project to safeguard the island. Some of the best architects of the time were employed for Corfu's defensive design.
The residential buildings of the city during Venetian rule generally exhibit uniformity. Architecturally, 19th-century Corfu is presented as a city with a homogeneous architectural character, significantly influenced by the 1827 building regulation, which favored not so much the construction of new homes but rather extensions, additions, and especially interventions to the facades of buildings. Due to this architectural uniformity, in 2007, the Old Town of Corfu and its fortifications were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Because of this uniformity, one can observe certain key elements on almost every facade, such as stone balconies, rhythmically placed windows, cornices, arcades, carved brackets, doorways, and string courses that separate the floors. Additionally, color plays a dominant role in the facades. The red or ochre hues on the walls, combined with off-white frames around openings and green shutters, highlight the architecture of the Old Town, elements that can be found across the entire exterior of the project.
The Al Mare Complex is located within the influence zone of the island's historic center, featuring strong architectural characteristics of Corfiot urban architecture, such as a sense of proportion, symmetry, and a variety of elements. These factors were key points in the design, as we wanted to create a balanced, simple, and modern ensemble that incorporates various distinctive elements of Corfu. In Corfiot architecture, there is also a dominant connection between space and the needs that shaped it, something we wanted to fully integrate into the interior design to ensure the smooth functionality of all the apartments, allowing them to meet the needs of each user depending on the apartment’s size.
All apartments include a living room, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom, children's rooms, bathroom, and WC. Earthy tones, the use of wood in wall coverings and furniture, and the alternation of textures create a sense of peace and tranquility for the resident.
