Περιγραφή
Located in the village of Thrapsano, Heraklion, Ventus is a residential complex comprising six apartments with a total area of 282 m². The project emerges from the desire to revive the memory of the historic Cretan windmill that once occupied the site, transforming a forgotten landmark into a contemporary architectural narrative.
Rather than reproducing the traditional windmill as a literal reference, the design reinterprets its essential morphological characteristics and translates them into a new architectural language. Two cylindrical volumes become the dominant compositional elements of the complex, establishing a dialogue that recalls the presence of two windmills and defines the overall volumetric composition. Between them, a series of secondary volumes create transitions, frame views, and connect the different parts of the building.
The composition is based on the contrast between curved and orthogonal geometries. The cylindrical forms, inspired by the tower of the traditional windmill, are combined with simple cubic volumes that organize the residential units and create a clear spatial hierarchy. Perforated masonry elements further reinforce the architectural narrative, filtering light and introducing a contemporary interpretation of the characteristic textures associated with vernacular Cretan architecture.
The circulation spaces that unfold between the two main volumes function as an intermediate architectural landscape. Open corridors, bridges, staircases, and semi-outdoor spaces encourage movement and social interaction while establishing visual connections between the apartments. In this way, the project extends beyond the design of individual dwellings and proposes a small residential community organized around shared spatial experiences.
Materiality plays a fundamental role in expressing the concept of the project. Earth-toned surfaces strengthen the connection with the local landscape, while the interplay of light and shadow highlights the sculptural quality of the forms. The architecture changes throughout the day, allowing natural light to reveal the different layers of the composition and emphasizing the dialogue between memory and contemporary living.
Ventus is ultimately an exploration of architectural memory. It is an attempt to reinterpret the Cretan windmill not as an isolated historical artifact, but as a living typology capable of generating new forms, new relationships, and new ways of inhabiting space.