Nestled in the village of Goulediana, Crete, Soulspaces Co has restored a traditional stone house into a holiday retreat shaped by the island’s landscape, history and slower pace of life. The project carefully balances restoration and contemporary living, allowing the building’s original character to remain at the heart of the experience. Stone walls, arched openings and exposed timber roof beams have all been preserved, while the existing masonry was repaired using local stone and limestone. The intervention is deliberately restrained, with every new element designed to sit comfortably alongside the original structure and highlight its craftsmanship and materiality. The house is organized across two levels. The lower floor, once home to storage spaces and animals, now accommodates two bedrooms and a bathroom, creating cool and sheltered spaces for rest. Upstairs, the kitchen, dining and living areas unfold beneath the original timber roof, joined by an additional bedroom and bathroom. New skylights and generous openings bring daylight deep into the house, revealing the textures of the stone as the light changes throughout the day. A palette of white plaster, natural timber and terracotta introduces warmth without competing with the restored architecture. Curved plaster surfaces and bespoke timber cabinetry define the kitchen, while the bathrooms combine built-in elements, earthy materials and subtle geometric details inspired by the region’s Byzantine heritage. The outdoor spaces are designed as an extension of the house. Stone terraces follow the natural slope of the site, connecting shaded seating areas, native planting, the swimming pool and outdoor dining spaces. Together, they create a series of places to gather, pause and enjoy the surrounding landscape. Throughout the house, architecture becomes a backdrop to daily rituals, from mornings on the terraces to evenings around the dining table. The restoration allows the building’s history to remain visible while creating spaces that feel both contemporary and deeply rooted in place.
Soulspaces Co reimagines traditional Cretan home for contemporary living
