This competition in Chania called for designs for a new building complex featuring a kindergarten, an elderly center, and a small park, located in a charming neighborhood in Crete. The site, surrounded by olive trees and shared with a newly built health center, inspired us to prioritize integration with the surrounding environment.
Our proposal consists of white, distinguished volumes that blend into the sloping landscape, maintaining a scale in harmony with the surrounding buildings. To complement the neighboring health center, we expanded the existing olive grove, creating a unified landscape that wraps around the buildings and park.
The building is organized over two levels, with a half-buried design to minimize its profile and adapt to the hot climate. The main courtyard, protected from the sun, is surrounded by greenery, while smaller atriums are scattered within the building. Aesthetic details, such as playful color accents on the facades, highlight the building’s interior functions.
The small park, enhanced by the rhythmic rows of olive trees, blends seamlessly with the entire complex, reinforcing the connection to the island’s natural landscape and cultural heritage.

Educational & Urban | Area: 1.100 m2 | Chania. Crete | Open Competition 3rd Prize | 2020

Designing Team: Phivos Sigalas, Eleana Pastra, Aikaterini Gousgouni
Architect Consultant: Panos Giokas
Client: Chania Municipality
Visuals: Molior Architects+