The user approaches the building from the underground, the entrance is transferring the user to the interior where a play of light and shadow unfolds in an experience of discovering. In addition the coloured concrete contributes in a monolithic feeling and aesthetic to the structure giving a cave sense to the habitant. Αt the same time it provides durability, low embodied energy and minimum possible maintenance. It’s surface is treated to resemble the palette of the landscape and the texture of the rocks. The basic Material is a coloured concrete mixture composed with local aggregates. Natural light and ventilation are being filtered carefully giving a natural feeling and well being to the habitants. In order to present excellent thermal and sustainable behaviour is partially underground and carefully studied according to the mediterranean-North African climatic conditions, sun light movement and orientation. The building has an overall aerodynamic form as it was sculpted from the local winds for years taking a natural in- clination towards East.Ĭasa Katana is carefully placed above the rock formations of the site and high enough to provide unobstructed views and privacy at the same time. The components are designed dynamically in concern of the North west winds that take place in the region and they are sized in a harmonic ratio that provides motion to the whole composition and gives the feeling of a futuristic yet minimal structure. All the elements of the composition are constructed in accordance to this crooked trace that acts as the backbone of the residence.
The movement and sharpness of this crooked archetype takes shape in the form of a continuous concrete blade that delimits the borders of the residence and provides a broader view in two basic directions. This gesture was developed and engraved in the plot resembling the mark of a sharp yet gentile cut from a Katana sword, thus gave its name Casa Katana.
Towards this direction, after lots of sketches, the idea came up in the form of a soft crooked line made by a fleeting watercolour monocondyle. One of the main concerns was the residence to be fully integrated in the landscape, living untouched the beauty of the plot. In the above factors are added the contemporary needs and amenities that a modern dwelling may possess in order to constitute a state of the art contemporary structure. Τhe main factors that influenced the architectural synthesis are the landscape and the southern mediterranean beauty, the views towards the Libyan sea and the climate conditions. The start was made by closely observing the parameters of the site and asking the right questions. The idea was inspired by the unique morphology of the plot and the particular characteristics of the site, the rock formations, it’s orientation and views. architects: A crooked line engraved in the Southern Cretan landscape. In the Southern part of Crete is designed by Konstantinos Stathopoulos the unique leisure residence Casa Katana.