Located in the village of Goulediana, in the Rethymno region of Crete, Soulspaces Co transform an old stone house into a contemporary retreat that embraces a slower way of living. Rough stone walls, arched openings, and timber roofs are carefully restored and integrated into the new architectural language, combined with soft white plaster, natural timber and terracotta ceramic details.
Nestled among stone terraces, dense vegetation and strong Mediterranean light, Sterna Slow Living is a house shaped by the landscape, natural materials and the changing rhythms of the day. The design draws inspiration from the traditional architecture of the region. Stone walls, arched openings, timber roofs and outdoor spaces follow the natural terrain.
The restoration treats tradition as a living element, allowing the character of the original structure to coexist with contemporary living.
The existing masonry was carefully repaired using local stone and limestone, preserving its natural irregularities and tactile qualities. Original arches were maintained, exposed timber roof beams reveal the building’s construction and traces of its history remain visible throughout the interior.
Across the house, old and new elements come together through simple and thoughtful interventions.
Rough stone surfaces are combined with soft white plaster, natural timber and terracotta ceramic details, creating a warm and understated material palette. New additions remain discreet, allowing the original architecture to continue shaping the experience of the space.
The house unfolds across two levels. The lower floor, once used for storage and animal shelters, has been transformed into a calm and private area with two bedrooms and a bathroom. Its enclosed character now creates a sense of protection and retreat. The upper level accommodates the shared spaces of the house, including the kitchen, dining area, living room, an additional bedroom and a bathroom.
Large openings and newly introduced skylights bring natural light into the interior, highlighting the texture of the stone and creating a changing atmosphere throughout the day.
Soft white curtains filter the strong Mediterranean sun, moving gently with the breeze and strengthening the connection between inside and outside. Designed as part of the overall architectural language, the kitchen combines curved plaster surfaces, timber cabinetry and deep terracotta tiles to create a warm and minimal composition. In the bathrooms, built-in elements, curved walls and earthy tones create intimate and tactile spaces. A geometric floor pattern subtly references the Byzantine heritage of the region.
The outdoor spaces are conceived as an extension of the house.
Instead of a single courtyard, the landscape unfolds through a series of terraces that follow the natural slope of the site, connected by stone steps, retaining walls, planting and small areas for gathering.
Each outdoor space is connected to a different moment of the day: morning coffee beneath the trees, slow afternoons by the pool, shared meals around the large red table or quiet moments in more secluded corners of the garden. Ochre tones, deep reds, striped textiles and terracotta vessels introduce warmth and colour while maintaining the calm atmosphere of the setting.
At Sterna, the idea of slow living is expressed through the architecture itself.
It is experienced through the movement between spaces, the pauses created along the landscape, the changing quality of natural light and the direct relationship with natural materials. Here, elegance is not defined by excess, but by time, simplicity, and a meaningful connection with place.
The restoration preserves the memory of the original house while creating space for new experiences.
Sterna Slow Living becomes a contemporary refuge where past and present meet through stone, timber, water and light.
Facts & Credits
Project title Sterna Slow Living
Typology Restoration, Residential
Location Goylediana, Crete, Greece
Area 110 sqm
Status Completed, 2026
Architecture Soulspaces Co
Photography Elias Gkanias
This project was submitted to Archisearch through the “Submit a Story” feature, where architects, designers, and creatives are invited to share their work for publication.