- Project: Meraki House
- Architect: Sigurd Larsen
- Location: Greece, Crete
- Year: 2025
- Photography: Kkrom Services
Tucked into the terraced hills of Spili, in central Crete, Meraki House is a masterfully designed concrete and stone villa in Crete by acclaimed architect Sigurd Larsen. Built in 2025 on the property of the Meraki Hotel, the villa sits higher on the hillside, surrounded by ancient olive trees and panoramic mountain views.
This elegant structure serves as a private residence for the hosting family, with a charming breakfast terrace for hotel guests. The home is strategically positioned on a natural plateau, allowing for 360° vistas across the rugged Cretan landscape. The lower level is organized around a tranquil inner courtyard, while the upper level seems to float above the treetops, blurring boundaries between architecture and nature.
Architecture Rooted in Nature
Designed with a minimalist ethos, Meraki House draws its strength from simplicity and honest materials. Its exposed concrete frame forms a three-dimensional grid that responds to the sloping terrain like a carved piece of stone—orthogonal yet organic. The villa is built from locally quarried stone, prized for its cooling properties and ability to withstand the harsh Mediterranean sun.
As time passes, lichen and moss will naturally colonize the stone surfaces, allowing the home to age gracefully and further integrate into its lush, untamed setting. The result is a villa that feels both ancient and contemporary—crafted not just for beauty, but for endurance and harmony with its environment.
For more examples of Cretan stonework, explore our collection of Mediterranean homes.
Seamless Indoor–Outdoor Living
The architecture encourages a lifestyle that adapts to nature’s rhythms. Shaded pergolas, operable wooden shutters, and expansive openings offer passive climate control, allowing the villa to breathe with the landscape. Whether catching a breeze or retreating from the midday heat, the design celebrates seasonal living in a climate that invites connection with the outdoors.
Surrounding the villa is a verdant garden, featuring old olive groves, wild meadows, and a small forest, creating a habitat where architecture and ecology coexist.
Built with Meraki: Passion and Place
The name Meraki means “to do something with soul, creativity, or love” in Greek—a fitting reflection of both the spirit of the home and the local culture. Each architectural detail, from the stone texture to the garden pathways, is a tribute to the rich gastronomy, craftsmanship, and resilience of life in Crete.
