I was born in Chania, Crete in 1994. I have a BA (Hons) degree in Architecture & Design from UEL and a MArch in Architecture and Urbanism from Portsmouth University. An enthusiastic architect with attention to even the smaller details and a great love for the local Cretan architecture, which I try to preserve in every oportunity. I work at MARKT Technical Construction Company as an Architect - Projects Supervisor and Economic Manager, additionally I co-operate with Manos Petrakis and Associates in the section of Design and Management while I work and as a freelance architect. My work experience has allowed me to organize and process each situation with professionalism, get to know and manage each client’s needs, handle the project’s budget and overall create designs that embody ergonomical and environmental principles, adapt to their context with the use of the proper materiality and stir human senses and memory, which a consider to be the most important aspect of architectural design.
University of Portsmouth, School of Architecture: Master in Architecture and Urbanism (RIBA Part 2)
Graduated with 1st Class Distinction
from MArch Architecture and Urbanism (RIBA Part 2) validated by UoP in AMC Facilities, Athens
of East London, School of Architecture: BA (Hons) Architecture (RIBA Part 1)
and Associates
Residence, Pro tis Ilias, Chania / Crete
Concept Design_: Christodoulakis Ilias
Architectural Design: Terzidakis Andreas / Gkina Dionisia / Kalogeri Maria
Interior_ Furniture Design: Terzidakis Andreas
Construction: MARKT S.A. 2019-20
The building is located on a privileged western slope of the Cape of Chania. The special topography of the area, with the steep slope, in combination with the limited space of the plot, forced the building volume to grow in height, in 5 levels, with the correlation of these being the main body of the synthetic creation. The view and the natural sun were the cores of the design with the building essentially turning and framing the view on each of its levels, while the Cretan light enters it unifying and emphasizing its special geometries and the simplicity of its construction.
The building shell encloses two identical houses. The uses are developed in stages with the auxiliary ones being in the basement, the public ones such as the living room and the kitchen, at the level of the elevated ground floor and the private ones on the last two levels. The basic philosophy of the interior design and design was the creation of open spaces, simple but at the same time meticulous in their details following the principle of Cretan architecture with minimalist lines and archetypal volumes.
The entrance to the space is through the kitchen where it is used as a short-term dining space with the element of wood defining the vestibule. The living room is in the dominant position-view of each house and has a double height thus freeing the eye from the narrow concept of space. The main spatial and synthetic element is the metal staircase which connects the multiple levels. The staircase was treated as a continuous filter, a lightweight construction that obscures or frames the view and the user and incorporates elements of locality. Living spaces are developed on the upper levels of each house. Each bedroom benefits from panoramic views and natural sunshine. Natural materials such as wood, metal and glass combine to create a simple "hive" of residence. Particular emphasis was placed on the design of the bathrooms, which due to the small space of the bedrooms were treated as a semi-transparent light shell, a glass cube, where the interior and exterior environment, as well as the figures of users are projected on its surfaces creating a light experience. shadow and motion. On the last level, two attics were created which have a private living room while the sleeping area is placed inside the upper upper level, in direct contact with the sloping wooden roof. A solar skylight window contributes to the natural light and ventilation of the space.
The balconies and the surrounding area are the main areas of relaxation of the Mediterranean habitation and as such have been designed. The planting and the choice of materials in earthy tones contribute to the creation of uniform surfaces while the use of wood, either in its natural or artificial composition, signals the presence of the liquid element. The building has a total of three swimming pools, two on the ground floor level and one on the shared roof. The large awnings on the balconies, through the bioclimatically designed wooden blinds, shade linearly, emphasizing the geometry of the volumes internally and externally. Light dominates the space; however, it is properly filtered and creates a sustainable atmosphere.
Main facade view
1st level exterior space
1st level Living room
1st level Living room
The synthesis concerned the remodeling, through the consolidation, of two existing apartments. The new unified composition would make full use of the spatial possibilities and views provided by the previous situation, while it would be enriched with the concept of warmth and hospitality to create a luxury tourist apartment capable of accommodating up to 6 people in comfort, as well as to be an "urban retreat" for the owner's family during the winter months.
The main axis of the zoning is the clean linear course with the cores of living and daycare developing parallel to the urban facade of the apartment. The start of the course takes place through a vestibule, which is also the narrowest point of the space, respecting the proportions of the outer corridor. Then the space opens up creating the single core that accommodates the kitchen and living room, the heart of the apartment's urban life.
On either side of the central space are the two bedrooms, one master and one that can also be used as a children's room. At the end of the corridor, the bathroom is developed, so that it is visually separated from the other areas.
The basic design philosophy is to create an urban composition, with elements of the Cretan identity, through the use of natural materials and shades as well as clean lines to make living within the apartment functional and sustainable. The use of separating filters emphasizes the purity and separation of spaces through an aesthetic that gradually frees the visual while allowing natural light to pass through. The colors, which originate from the urban and peri-urban landscape of the city, have been used to create zones and mark the spaces.
The furnishing consists almost exclusively of furniture that has been designed and manufactured for the particular needs and requirements of the space and aims both to complete the aesthetic ensemble and coherence and to cover the large storage needs required in this type of accommodation.
Living room
Living room
Master bedroom
Living room / Kitchen
Renovation of a 70sqm apartment in white and natural tones. The apartment consisted of a main area that accommodated the kitchen and a living room. The main intention was to completely reform the kitchen to a more minimal attitude to be connected with the living room area. The architectural design aimed to create a new more ergonomically and open space main area that, combined with open-colored tones and natural elements. White tones prevail in each room of the apartment combined with wood touches to create a minimalistic aesthetic and allow more light to flow in the interior, thus “enlarging” the space.
The new kitchen area was designed in a way to house as much appliances possible and as much working bench and cupboards as possible to accommodate all the needs of the family. The kitchen is divided by the living room by a small island bench to be used as a spot for quick daily breakfast.
The bathroom was totally rearranged with the creation of a shower by removing the old bathtub while a niche was created to house the washer and a small closet. The use of large and lightly colored tiles placed vertically enhanced the feeling of purity and was chosen as an effort to make the bathroom show more spacious as it was only 2,08m high.
All the old floor marbles were treated with care and were polished giving them their old glory, while the wooden cladding of the ceiling was painted white to enlarge the height effect and create a frame of the interior.
The “WHITE APT”, Chania / Crete
Bathroom
Vatolakos House, Vatolakos Village, Chania / Crete (Proposal)
The proposal aims for the re-use of an existing 19th century Turkish house in the heart of Vatolakos. The house is located at the center of Vatolakos and is characterized by its small size (50sqm), it has two blind facades and a very small plot, with the main village road from the East and a small alley on its West side. There were two different design variations based on the main architectural intentions; the creation of a comfortable modern house and preservation of its locality.
The design approach on both variations was similar; preserve the existing façade as an urban face and a piece of history and identity of the village and create an open façade that will allow the flow of natural light and open the western views towards the large orange groves that surround Vatolakos. The western part of the house was lowered by 1m to allow the accommodation of the kitchen, create unobstructed views from both the living and the kitchen level and also connect directly the house level with the rear garden.
The first proposal is to preserve the original dimensions of the house and create one bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom and a main living room. The traces of an old stone wall that divided the house would be preserved at a bench height and be used as a semi-boundary between kitchen and living room.
The second proposal is more ambitious with a second level added to the house. The upper level would accommodate a second bedroom and an office space connected via a hanged internal balcony that would create an interior atrium with the wooden roof to prevail as an element in the interior space. Moreover, the upper floor would have an exterior balcony so the owners could enjoy an extended view compared to the first level.
Property position in Vatolakos
3D visualization of the sinle story vesrion (rear view)
3D visualization of the sinle story vesrion
Floor plan
Concept sketches Ground
plan
First floor plan
Section plan
3D visualization of the douple story vesrion
Transformation of an existing industrial facade - interior-lighting design / SYN.KA SM, Chania / Crete
Re-designing of an existing industrial’s building façade, for the transformation of the use of the building from a wholesale store to a modern minimalistic super market. The main intention was to create a façade and a cladding that would enhance the volume of the building. A cladding of trapezoid metal sheets was chosen to be placed at the corner of the building thus enhancing the entrance and projecting the building by differentiating it from the urban context.
Additionally, the main entranced was expanded with enlarged windows panels to be significantly updated, projected better to the main road and contribute in the main linear analogies. This gesture allows more natural light to enter the main hall of the store. The synthesis is completed by a linear canopy that enhances the linearity of the building by splitting the volume and by providing the necessary shading.
3D visualization of the main entrance
3D visualization lighitng proposal
Transformation of an existing industrial facade, Chania / Crete
Re-designing the transformation of an existing industrial building’s façade. The main intention of the proposal was to create a secondary skin, an exterior shell that would enclose the old building inside. The design has 2 main axis; enhancing the entrance and projecting the analogies of the building. The idea was to create a grid made of solid and semi-transparent panels of perforated metal to cover the old glazed façade.
The grid was based on the old facades grid and the combination of semitransparent and solid panels created a game of light and shadow. The main entrance was enlarged by expanding it opening thus enhancing its importance as a beacon of the façade. Finally, the whole facades were painted in grey tones to create a solid and minimalistic skin to smooth the volume of the building and help it blend with its environment.
Renovation of a double story housing complex at Sternes village, Akrotiri Chania. The complex was consisted of 4 almost identical 2 story houses that were divided into 2 typologies; 2 120sqm houses with a large living space at the edges of the block and 2 90sqm houses in the middle. The main design intention was to unite the housing volumes using earthy and local colors tones and by creating a louvred canopy on the upper floor. The canopy was designed in a way to protect and at the same time allow natural sunlight on the top floor’s bedrooms acting as a sun filter. It was intended by the owners to keep the existing windows so the color choice has to take this into account. About the colors the main intention was to unite the volumes by using colors from the Cretan pallet; grey-green and venetian pink-orange.
Internally, each house was approached differently to lineup with each owner’s vision; overall maintaining a minimalistic approach. One of the main architectural designs is the creation of a foldable separation wall in the 2 larger houses as a way to add an extra room at the ground level to be used as an extra bedroom, a study or a play room. Overall, each house has a main living space with living room and kitchen and a small bathroom at the ground level while on the 1st floor level there are two master bedrooms and a shared bathroom.
View of the main facade
Bathroom
Proposal for the interior renovation of a medium sized technical office in Chania. The design aimed at the total reformation of the interior spaces of the office and expand its capacity. The materials that were chosen for the new design was a combination of metal and natural oak wood. All furniture is custom designed; each desk is comprised by two components the main oak bench and the metal base that is a combination of solid steel and perforated Corten surfaces to hide cables and create a semi-transparent filter. The space is defined by a large bookcase, that has a configuration to accommodate the different needs of each section of workers that would use it (architects, civil engineers etc).
To enhance the linearity of the space and create a path that would lead the visitors to each sector of the office, a light path was designed on the roof. Linear LED profiles was united creating a unified line with circular spotlights acting as signals of checkpoints-different office sections. At the same time, custom made linear lights made from corroded steel were designed and placed over the main desks thus enhancing the minimalistic straight lines of the configuration.
Main furniture (bookcase) configuration
Bookcase detail
Design proposal of an OPAP store in Chania,Crete. The proposal aimed to re-configurate an existing venetian building of the old town in a new way to accommodate all the needs and facilities of a game-store. All the interior components were strictly pre-specified by OPAP as for the colors, materiality and dimensions, so the main design focus was aimed to blend a part of the city’s history with a new modern use. The main entrance was elevated from the rest of the store creating an entry hall and establishing a direct link with the main road creates. On the ceiling above the reception desk there is a hanging wooden grid with hidden lighting at the back that creates an atrium effect thus lighting the main hall in an effort to create a kind of transition between natural light-artificial light and the semi-lighted conditions of the main hall of the store. This artificial atrium is inspired from the old venetian buildings of the area that used a similar philosophy to bring natural light into the lower levels. Hanging transparent sphere lights are used to balance the height scale of 4,5m. The rest of the store is placed at a lower level to create the feeling of separation between an area clearly design for focused gambling and the main entry hall that is the link of transition to the outside world.
On the exterior, due to preservation limitations, the façade was preserved but it was re-approached by the addition of a traditional natural roughcast clay color that aimed to enhance the form of the building. The windows were re-designed with a style closer to 16th century’s architecture. All windows and doors are painted olive green.
3D visualization of the entrance
3D visualization of the main facade
3D visualization of the main facade
3D visualization of the main entrance
3D visualization of the main hall
3D visualization of the reception area
Designing a new Master Bedroom by uniting two old kid’s rooms into one new space. The existing plan of the house had two separate kid’s rooms and a shared bathroom at the edge of the southern private zone, with unlimited views of the landscape. Main axis of design was the unification of the 2 separate spaces into 1 and the transformation of the small shared bathroom, to accommodate the new needs of the home owner. The space is divided into 2 zones; the first zone is the entry and private storage area with the pass way to the bathroom and the second zone is the main-common area with the sleeping space, the shared closet and a small sitting area for when there is a private occasion for closed quests.
The more private entry zone is divided from the sleeping quarter by a fixed storage furniture synthesis that serves a double purpose; storage in the bathroom’s corridor and exhibit area for a part of the owner’s private collection. Moreover, there is a stand level used as a bedside table for books etc. In the main area there is the custom-made bed standing on top of a hollow base with drawers for extra storage space. On the right bedside there is a sitting bench with storage drawers underneath that is used as a sitting spot or as a bedside table. The whole of the side wall is converted into a closet space.
For the bathroom, the space was enlarged to accommodate more comfortable all the spatial needs. A separation wall was demolished and the pieces of the old Dionisos marble were kept to be the cladding of the new sink. The new wall was cladded with traditional stucco.
All the furniture is custom designed and custom made to be adapted totally into the space and to cover the whole range of the owner’s needs. The design is a mixture of modern and classical forms embraced by principals found in the classical Cretan residences. This choice was made to create the needed update to the identity of the room but at the same time to create a spatial biome that balances between formality and comfort. Natural wood in semi-brown tones, frosted glass and earthy tones on the floor are combined to create a total that promotes the main principals of living; a space of comfort and balance that gives energy and appetite for life.
General plan of the configuration, with red lines are the old walls.
Main closet
Bathroom view
Handle detail
Corridor-bathroom entry
General view
Linear light detail
House expansion, Chania / Crete
Concept Design: Christodoulakis Ilias
Architectural Design / Landscape: Terzidakis Andreas
Interior_ Furniture Design: Terzidakis Andreas
Construction: MARKT S.A. 2019-21
Designing a new Master Bedroom by uniting two old kid’s rooms into one new space. The existing plan of the house had two separate kid’s rooms and a shared bathroom at the edge of the southern private zone, with unlimited views of the landscape. Main axis of design was the unification of the 2 separate spaces into 1 and the transformation of the small shared bathroom, to accommodate the new needs of the home owner. The space is divided into 2 zones; the first zone is the entry and private storage area with the pass way to the bathroom and the second zone is the main-common area with the sleeping space, the shared closet and a small sitting area for when there is a private occasion for closed quests.
The more private entry zone is divided from the sleeping quarter by a fixed storage furniture synthesis that serves a double purpose; storage in the bathroom’s corridor and exhibit area for a part of the owner’s private collection. Moreover, there is a stand level used as a bedside table for books etc. In the main area there is the custom-made bed standing on top of a hollow base with drawers for extra storage space. On the right bedside there is a sitting bench with storage drawers underneath that is used as a sitting spot or as a bedside table. The whole of the side wall is converted into a closet space.
For the bathroom, the space was enlarged to accommodate more comfortable all the spatial needs. A separation wall was demolished and the pieces of the old Dionisos marble were kept to be the cladding of the new sink. The new wall was cladded with traditional stucco.
All the furniture is custom designed and custom made to be adapted totally into the space and to cover the whole range of the owner’s needs. The design is a mixture of modern and classical forms embraced by principals found in the classical Cretan residences. This choice was made to create the needed update to the identity of the room but at the same time to create a spatial biome that balances between formality and comfort. Natural wood in semi-brown tones, frosted glass and earthy tones on the floor are combined to create a total that promotes the main principals of living; a space of comfort and balance that gives energy and appetite for life.
Axonometric plan of the metal frame and its grid
Elevator frame and shaft section
Before and after
View of the main facade through the garden
View of a part of the landscape
Entrance of the yard
1st Level balcony
1st Level bedroom sitting area
Main kitchen
View of a part of the main hall with the staircase to the 1st level
Social House Renovation / Chania / Crete (Ongoing)
Renovation of an old social house in Halepa, Chania. The house has a total area of 75sqm and was intended to be used as a family house for a young couple, so the space needed to be modern and sophisticated to help accommodate all of their new needs.
The floor plan was divided into 2 zones; the main living areas and the more private-sleeping areas. The interior wall dividing the kitchen with the living room and the small hall with the rest of the house was demolished to create an open space uniting the 2 uses and allowing more natural light to enter in the house. The main synthesis of the living room with the fireplace and the TV is developed along the intermediate wall that is shared between 2 social houses. The fireplace is positioned in the center of the house intentionally to be visible from every corner. For the office area a sliding door was designed to cut the room from the rest of the house during working hours but at the same time due to its materiality with steel and frosted glass, to allow natural light to enter thus acting as a soft filter.
The steel structure that was added to reinforce the existing building shell was intended to be enclosed as a part of the interior design by painting it in light color and cladding it with wood at its horizontal sections.
The only bathroom of the house was re-designed and expanded in a way that it could offer a larger space with a built-in shower and provide additional storage space for the laundry and an entry closet.
The interior design was approached with inspiration from Cretan nature and topos, with natural tones and materials with simple analogies were used to create a total synthesis that promotes locality and comfort.
Floor Plan
Bathroom configuration
View from the kitchen towards the living room
View of the kitchen and office area on the left
View of the living room
View of the living room
Renovation/interior design of a small Social House in the area of Koum Kapi, Chania. The house is located in the dense urban core that was the “heart” of Chania during the 1920s. Is a small 56sqm house that has only 2 free facades; the exterior towards the alley and its interior that is developed around a very small 8sqm yard with a single tree in it.
The space was divided into 3 zones; the main living area in the center of the house, the private sleeping area in the North part of the main volume and the dinning-cooking zone that was developed around the backyard. The old stone wall that was dividing the main area of the house with the back part was demolished for a larger opening to be created, thus allowing more natural light into the house and creating a more open field of view enlarging the main area. A fireplace was placed in the center of the house acting as a filter between the living room and the dinning area, while the kitchen is developed linearly alongside the intermediate wall, in that way covered from the plain view while entering the house. In the rear part of the house, with the kitchen and dining, the facades surrounding the backyard are all glazed to offer a 270-degree view of the natural element. In the yard, a small water tank with a fountain is placed for the water acoustics of flowing water to be heard in the house enhancing the feeling of calmness.
The bedroom is divided by the living room by a semi-solid / semi-transparent wall. Taking advantage of the spacious volume due to the large interior height, a divider is designed at the top part of the bedroom wall with louvres and frosted glass to allow light to the bedroom and make the wall feel more “light” in the tight space. Inside the bedroom there is a large office with direct view of the alley and an enlarged storage space.
FLOORPLAN
3D visualization of the main hall / living room
3D visualization kitchen / atrium
3D visualization proposal’s facade
3D visualization proposal’s facade
3D visualization living room
3D visualization kitchen / atrium
3D visualization kitchen / atrium
3D visualization kitchen
3D visualization bedroom / office
Re-approach of an old Cretan house / Hordaki village / Chania / Crete (Proposal)
Renovation/interior-landscape design of an existing old housing complex in Hordaki village, Chania. The housing complex is located in the center of Hordaki village and is consisted of 3 building volumes, developed around an old olive tree. The 2 volumes are developed on the N-S axis and are placed at the limit of the small plot, while the other volume is not connected with the other 2 and is a small trapezoid volume at the South edge of the plot.
The main design idea was to take advantage of the enclosed space configuration and the remain built area of the plot to create a building unity that would enhance the views, natural elements and be spacious enough to accommodate 4-6 people.
An addition was made to the further volume to the North to accommodate a second master bedroom and create an exit to the intermediate’s volume terrace. The concept was to create a volume that would enclose the staircase and will unite the 2 volumes externally, while at the same time create framed views. The base, that consisted from all the existing buildings, is kept with its original stone masonry to enhance the blending between the old and the addition. The floor addition served as an expansion of the complex’s capacity and views, taking advantage the already elevated position of the plot, to expand the views beyond the horizon directly towards the White Mountains.
The trapezoid volume was united with the main building creating a continues “spine” developed around the yard. Its roof opened to create a peripheral window thus allowing natural light inside (due to total lack of South windows). This trapezoid and narrow area was designed to be the kitchen due to both its position in the edge of the synthesis and its close vicinity to the inner yard so to be used and during summertime.
The old olive tree was kept to be the center of the exterior space, a solid image from the past projected into the future as a piece of the development.
3D visualization kitchen
3D visualization dinning area
3D visualization bedroom
3D visualization bedroom
3D visualization terrace / water tank
3D visualization terrace / water tank
3D visualization main proposal night
3D visualization main entry night
3D visualization main hall / living room
3D visualization main hall / living room
3D visualization kitchen
Re-designing part of an existing apartment to meet the new needs of its owners. This is a 3 bedroom apartment in the center of Heraklion, which underwent a radical redesign of its public spaces.
The large unused space at the entrance was turned into a gym which can be privatized using sliding wooden panels. The kitchen was redesigned to incorporate the dining area while the existing fireplace was removed to develop a composition along the living room wall which encloses the television as well as a small "hidden" workspace. The living room can be isolated using sliding metal and glass panels. Also, the 2 bathrooms of the house were designed from the beginning to be in harmony with the new synthetic line of the residence..
3D visualization entrance hall-Gym space (open-closed)
Existing Floor Plan
3D visualization TV synthesis-Office space
3D visualization small WC
3D visualization main bathroom
3D visualization TV synthesis-Office space
3D visualization living room separation panels
Interior renovation of an existing ground floor house with a curved view in the center of Heraklion. The design was based on the axis of creating a minimalist house with elements of Cretan and Norwegian architecture, in warm and earthy tones.
Due to the geometric difficulty, the composition of the spaces was based on the creation of 2 distinct zones: 1 single zone of the common areas with the living room, dining room and kitchen (with direct contact with the inner courtyard) and 1 zone of private uses with the bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
The transfer of the entrance, focusing on the zone of public uses, helped to free up the central axis of the residence. In place of the old entrance, a glass brick wall and 2 vertical windows were created, in order to take full advantage of the natural lighting. In addition, to meet the needs of the homeowners, a second en-suite bathroom was created, and a bunk bed was designed for a bedroom.
In the backyard, a pergola was designed with a metal carrier and internal iroko blinds to filter the natural light. Finally, for the full exploitation of the backyard, a small outdoor kitchen was designed for the summer months.
3D visualization of the main living area
Old House Renovation / Herakleion / Crete
3D visualization bedroom
3D visualization main bathroom / in-suite bathroom
3D visualization interior yard
6+1 Villas Complex
/ Litsarda village / Chania / Crete (Ongoing)
Design of a private villas complex in Litsarda village, Apokoronas, Chania. The project brief called for the design of a luxury villas complex in the heart of the village accompanied by a mul�-purpose building that could be used by the residents of the villas as work-hubs and by the owner of the plot as a seasonal restaurant and retail store/cafeteria.
The idea was to divide the plot in to 2 parts, by taking advantage of its natural characteris�cs. The proposal develops on the East-West axis due to the rectangular nature of the plot, with the main approach/entry to be across the street of the village square. This axis of approach divides the proposal into 2 symmetric parts. The main core of the complex consists of 4 85sqm villas and 2 larger 130sqm, with a total capacity of 28 people. Each villa has a private yard with a swimming pool and an exterior kitchen. The main living areas are located on the ground floor with the sleeping quarters on the top.
The complex is defined by the mul�-purpose building on the East and a steep hill on the South. By taking advantage of the inclina�on of the plot the mul�-purpose building is developed on two levels, with the higher one to be used as the retail store and cafeteria and the lower to be the working hub with the restaurant.
Finally, on top of the West hill, having a private approach road, is the villa of the owner that overlooks the development and can accommodate 4-6 people.
Top view of the masterplan
Floor plan of the proposal
View of the main axis of the proposal
Perspec�ve view of the proposal
Private villa
Private villa
Private villa
Perspec�ve view of the proposal
130sqm Villa
85sqm Villa
85sqm Villa
The main axis of approach, in view the restaurant and cafe
