Greek Idyll: The Serene Splendor of Gundari Resort

3 min read
August 8, 2024
dpages

According to…

Greek mythology, Folegandros, part of the Cyclades Islands, is named after a son of King Minos, the legendary ruler of Crete. Little is known about the island’s ancient history, but following Roman rule, it became a highly contested area due to its exceptional beauty and hilly terrain that provided natural defense for settlements. The capital city, Chora, founded by the Venetians in the 12th century, is a classic white village perched dramatically on a cliff’s edge, specifically designed to shield the inhabitants from pirate attacks.

The Ottoman Empire claimed the island in the 17th century, followed by the Russians a century and a half later, with the Greek State taking over in 1828. Surrounded by pure turquoise waters, Folegandros is one of Greece’s least populated islands, and it has retained its rural charm and folkorish mystique through the centuries. Chic and unspoiled (much of its land is protected forestry), it’s a picture-perfect paradise, popular with visitors but far less touristy in the summer months than its neighbor, Santorini, a 50-minute ferry ride away.

Perched…

on a serene cliffside, the newly constructed Gundari Resort seamlessly blends with the island’s rugged and untamed terrain, offering a tranquil retreat that captures both seclusion and natural harmony. Designed by the Greek firm Block722, led by founders Sotiris Tsergas and Katja Margaritoglou, the resort embodies the designers’ belief that each project should reflect the cultural identity of its surroundings.

Minimalist…

and unique in its configuration, Gundari is a fortress-like structure of two parts: the first, which corresponds to the hotel’s suites, is set low enough to appear imbedded into the rock face as if it were formed by it, while the other, housing the reception area and communal spaces, is slightly more elevated, like a luxury lookout offering exceptional open views of the Aegean Sea.

Whereas…

many architects speak of ‘bringing the outside into interior spaces’, this project offers the reverse, as interiors appear to ‘pour’ out towards panoramic views. All lines of design, architectural and decorative, are consistent with a visual composition that stretches into the distance towards the horizon. An infinity pool appears to float above the sea, an extension of blue that further connects the built space with its surroundings for a seamless interaction. Natural materials, gentle color tones, and robust structural forms, inspired by Greek village dwellings, exude luxury and a palpable sense of authenticity. A variety of materials are employed in this project, such as marble, wood, clay, and natural stone reclaimed from the site. These elements are repurposed, infusing the composition with character, warmth, and a sense of history.

There’s a…

sense of being enveloped here, as the architecture wraps itself around you like a geological monument: each suite has a green roof planted with indigenous plants and its own ‘cove’ in the form of a sun-lounging area that juts out from marble steps, surrounded by a pool of water. Once again, this minimalist assembly compounds a sculptural movement that pushes towards the sea and sky. Bespoke furniture pieces by Block722 are mixed with vintage finds, following a strict palette that riffs off the colors of the surrounding cliffside. Well-made, thoughtful design is kept simple at all times to reflect ancestral notions of Greek island living, itself connected to a deep respect for nature, its wild beauty, and its remoteness. “Instead of fixating on specific aesthetic style and furniture preferences, we encourage [guests] to consider how they want to feel and what experiences they’re seeking,” explains Margaritoglou. This notion of quiet luxury is heightened by an obvious sense of open, uncluttered space indoors, contrasted by a more maze-like construction outside, encouraging guests to explore and discover patches of planted greenery and interesting viewpoints from which to take in the dramatic landscape. A magnificent design that honors the beauty and wilderness of this Greek idyll.