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GRANDES VILLAGE, CRETE, GREECE
The traditional Greek village when occupying a steep slope most often has a bifocal organisation, Ano Merá/Kato Merá (i.e. upper and lower town). In our proposals, the Ano Merá (Upper Town) marked by the Main Square related to the public, common facilities of the Hotel restaurant, spa, shops and administrative functions (information, reception, etc.). This main square, allows unique views of the town, the small hill of Prophetes Elias to the northeast and the sea beyond.
The Kato Merá (Lower Town) is the village’s core where both hotel (hotel accommodation and privately owned houses) and village meet. The Kato Merá is defined by its own public space in the form of a linear “corniche” lined with shops, cafés, small restaurants, etc., in the manner of a waterfront promenade one finds so often in island villages. WSmaller public spaces of varied sizes and morphology act as “openings” in the village’s grain and give local identity to the respective neighbourhoods.