A building with one name and two meanings, ‘Drakoni’ was named so in honour of the family that erected and owned it for more than six generations, as well as offering a nod to the fact the whole structure was built from the local hard stone of the same name.
Having been uninhabited since 1920 until recently, the 19th-century property is now a lavish holiday home, the luxury suite accommodating up to two persons who are looking for the ultimate in relaxation. Situated in the traditional village of Pines, just ten minutes from the centre of Elounda, Crete, Drakoni was converted and designed by Greek studio Doriza Design, the project based around the notion of “restoring and reusing the building as a holiday house, giving continuity to the history of the building through its functional adaptation and adjustment to the contemporary domestic needs and requirements.”
Established in 1864, minimal intervention was carried out on the exterior, Doriza Design instead focusing on the restoration and reinforcement of the stone masonry and the reconstruction of the parts that had collapsed. The main intervention implemented on the outer shell of the building was aimed at introducing light and fresh air in the core of the house and creating exterior sitting areas on the terrace.
Inside, the stunning Venetian arch remained being preserved entirely intact with the wear and patina of time imprinted on it. Where required, internal walls were covered with hydraulic plaster to ensure the air permeability of the building. The suspended metal staircase leading to the terrace is both functional and sculptural, the delicate metal structure contrasting with the density of the adjacent stone walls.
The petite interior is organised around the Venetian stone arch at its centre, creating a threshold between the bedroom and the living, dining and kitchen areas. On the terrace, guests will find a bar and a space for preparing food, alongside a jacuzzi and sun beds enabling complete disconnection while taking in the wonderful views.
Taking the old, preserving and reviving it, and enriching with new elements, with their exquisite house, Drakoni, Doriza Design have created a truly modern holiday residence with thoughtful design imbibed with a compulsion to disconnect.
Drakoni House Pines Photography, George Sfakianakis.
