The Crete House project is a response to a sensitive site analysis. The concept seeks to reinforce a duality intrinsic to the place: The stone walls refer to the mystery surrounded by the labyrinth, the stacked stones, thorns, goats and dry sounds, while the translucent roof refers to the white light of Crete and the sensation of calm, solitude, healing and contemplation.

Creta House draws inspiration from Jorge Luis Borges’ evocative poem, The Labyrinth, which reimagines the legendary maze of Crete.

THE LABYRINTH.

This is the labyrinth of Crete.

This is the labyrinth of Crete whose center was the Minotaur.

This is the labyrinth of Crete whose center was the Minotaur that Dante imagined as a bull with the head of a man and in whose stone network so many generations were lost.

This is the labyrinth of Crete whose center was the Minotaur, which Dante imagined as a bull with the head of a man and in whose stone network as many generations were lost as Maria Kodama and I were lost.

This is the labyrinth of Crete whose center was the Minotaur, which Dante imagined as a bull with the head of a man and in whose stone network as many generations were lost as Maria Kodama and I were lost that morning and we remain lost in time, this other labyrinth .

Poem by Jorge Luis Borges

Architects: Carlos Maia, Débora Mendes and Igor Macedo 
Location: Crete, Greek islands
Design Year: 2023