Elysium Caved Villas

Courtesy Of TABARQ

• Architects

The implementation in the landscape, the construction with the use of the local land, and the minimal intervention in the plot, are some of the key elements that characterize this hospitality architecture project in Greece. Elysium Caved Villas is a project by Tsikandilakis Lefteris + Architects, a multiple-awarded architecture office in Heraklion, Crete, known for its contemporary approach to luxury villa design. The villas combine both luxury villa design and the direct connection with nature. They are located in Agia Pelagia, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, and consist of five earth-sheltered villas with private pools.

photo_credit Courtesy Of TABARQ — Courtesy Of TABARQ

A horizontal slot creates a void in the natural formations of the land and orients the complex towards the view. Moreover, the organic form of the terrain is preserved with the restoration of the existing topography. An artificial cave is then carved, a space below the ground level, that closely communicates with the earth while at the same time being protected from it.

The entrance for the two side villas is formed through two paths that run along the edges of the plot, while the remaining three are served with separate external stairs & elevators, thus achieving maximum privacy in the access. In this way, we achieved an unobstructed view to the sea for all the villas. Despite its consistent façade, each house is separated and secluded with the placement of vertical elements that define the individual courtyards. Moreover, the 2m withdrawal that takes place in the back of each residence allows for natural ventilation and lighting on both levels. Simultaneously, it creates a secluded corner in the house, ideal for moments of serenity and relaxation.

The materials and furniture used outdoors are perfectly compatible with the natural soil. The stone, the wood, the earth tones, the vegetation, and the smells that thrive in the area compose a harmonious landscape that corresponds to that of Crete, Greece.

Following the exterior, the interior design continues in an identical style, with the addition of a unique sense of luxury that suggests a homely atmosphere for winter holidays. The complex provides amenities that allow it to be welcoming all year round, with views of the sea and swimming pools turning it into an ideal summer resort, and a reference point in villa design in Greece.

The individual courtyards formed on the east side of the plot extend on two levels, creating a dining area on the first level and a more private lower space, with a seating arrangement by the infinity pool. As a conclusion, on the northeast side of the plot, we find a belvedere balcony, a mystical place where the visitor can enjoy the view in all directions — an example of refined villa architecture and construction excellence in Greece, designed by an architecture office in Greece with deep experience in high-end residential projects.