The rejection of the proto-Minoan style of modern objects is a novelty for Crete. How did the Russian architects take advantage of the freedom given to them in the cultural reservation of Europe, where the historical buildings are more than 4000 years old? “The overriding task of the project,” says Aleksandrov, “is to create a modern“monument”in the landscape environment of Crete: with absolute stylistic non-engagement of searches, the prospect is to determine the panorama of world sea cruises.” Since the area of the natural landscape complex of the Plakia Bay area is allocated for construction, from the side of the island it is limited by the highest mountain range of Crete Omalos, and according to the town planning laws of the island, the view from the windows of private estates cannot be disturbed.
The 4.1 hectare construction site is located in a natural basin and resembles a bird with outstretched wings in outline. However, the project owes its name not to the morphology of the site, but to English investors familiar with the area based on the novel "Sea Eagle" by James Aldridge. At the request of the British, the site is divided into three zones: 3 hectares - a vip-territory with 4 villas (for project investors), 1 hectare - a hotel for 13 block-type townhouses, 0.1 hectares - a buffer border with a public function: they say, a tavern, minimarket and - a prerequisite for complex construction in Crete - an Orthodox church.
The extreme tourism and mobile lifestyle prevalent on the island, as well as the strict, but by no means conservative tastes of the British, determined the imagery of the village. Geometrically verified (right angle - pattern) objects were conceived as "staging points" where you can temporarily hide from the sun, wind and the vastness that prevails in Crete. Cantilever elements create shadow zones around the perimeter of buildings. The space of private life is hidden inside. Pools in front of the villas, as well as glass, nickel-plated metal and Cretan stone used in the decoration of the buildings, transform the village into a "scattering stone" gleaming in the sun on the coast of Crete and neutralize interference with the landscape.
