Meraki Hotel / Sigurd Larsen

Architects: Sigurd Larsen
Area: 850 m²
Year: 2025
Photographs: Kkrom Services
Category: Hospitality Architecture, Hotels
Design Team: Sigurd Larsen
City: Agios Vasileios
Country: Greece

Meraki Hotel boutique hospitality project designed by Sigurd Larsen in Crete, Greece is embedded within a terraced mountain landscape populated by ancient olive trees. The hotel’s structure is defined by a concrete frame that acts as a three-dimensional grid, adapting orthogonally to the sloping terrain and referencing the form of a cut rock. Locally sourced stone walls provide passive cooling and will gradually merge with the environment through lichen growth. The complex consists of six apartments, each oriented toward the valley, partially enclosed like caves and open on one side to expansive views. Each unit includes a small kitchen and shaded outdoor space with pergolas and shutters, supporting year-round comfort and indoor-outdoor living. The architectural concept emphasizes simplicity and climate responsiveness, while the name “Meraki” conveys the passion and care embedded in both design and local tradition.

Meraki Studios is a small boutique hotel situated in the central mountains of Crete, where the terraced landscape is dotted with ancient olive trees. The architecture is defined by its simplicity, with a concrete skeleton forming the core structure. This exposed framework functions as a three-dimensional grid that adjusts to the natural slope of the terrain, replicating the character of a shaped rock—it uses the material quality of stone but is cut along orthogonal lines.

The buildings are constructed using locally sourced stone, valued for its cooling properties and ability to provide natural protection from the Mediterranean sun. Over time, lichen is expected to grow on the surfaces, further blending the structures into the surrounding landscape.

Meraki Studios includes six distinct apartments of various sizes, each oriented toward the valley. The units are designed with a cave-like quality, enclosed on one side and open on the other to panoramic views of the valley and surrounding rocky mountain peaks. The apartments are designed to balance comfort and practicality, featuring small kitchens that allow guests to prepare meals and spend extended periods in privacy. The interiors remain cool during the hot summer months, offering a comfortable retreat after a day of outdoor activity. The connection between indoor and outdoor living is reinforced by pergolas and shutters, which create shaded areas that adapt to the shifting position of the sun and changing temperatures throughout the day.

The surrounding garden is a lush environment, featuring mature olive trees, a small forest, and open meadows. Multiple terraces within the garden offer a variety of experiences: one includes a pool integrated into the existing stone walls, while others present expansive views of the former agricultural landscape or secluded areas enclosed by ancient stone.

The word “Meraki” translates to passion, capturing the essence of local gastronomy and the commitment needed to inhabit this beautiful yet demanding landscape. At Meraki Studios, each detail is thoughtfully designed with respect for the natural and cultural heritage of Crete, Greece.