Tucked away in the quiet village of Kalivani, just west of Chania and near the famed shores of Balos, Corte Interna is more than just a beautifully restored complex of stone-built homes—it’s a poetic conversation between past and present, crafted with sensitivity by Design Emotions Atelier, led by architect Evi Kotsou.

With its very name—“Corte Interna,” meaning inner courtyard—this project invites us to step inside a sanctuary of timeless architecture, emotional design, and contemporary living that disconnects us from the fast pace of modern life.

---

A Harmonious Trio Around a Courtyard

Set on a 420 sq.m. plot, the 220 sq.m. complex comprises three distinct stone buildings arranged around an inner courtyard—an architectural gesture that reflects both intimacy and openness. At the heart of it all, water acts as the connective tissue, flowing between the buildings and anchoring the space in tranquility.

This inward-facing design channels the legacy of Venetian-influenced Cretan architecture: pointed arches, semicircular doorways, and low-arched lintels whisper stories of the island’s layered past.

---

Building One: A Modern Intervention in a Historic Shell

As you enter from the main road, the first structure you encounter is a two-story building—a striking blend of preservation and modern reinterpretation.

• Ground floor: A seamless open-plan living space and a bedroom with an en suite.
• First floor: Two additional en suite bedrooms and a WC.

One of the most notable design interventions here is the addition of an internal door—a newly cut opening that links the ground-floor bedroom to the rest of the house, previously accessible only from the outside. This connection, marked by a metal frame, stands as a subtle yet honest gesture to the building’s evolving story.

At the center of the home, a metal spiral staircase, crafted from perforated sheet metal, rises sculpturally—its curves and lightness adding a sense of movement and modernity. Outside, the original stone staircase remains, with a small domed room beneath—left untouched, honoring its historic charm.

The building’s structural integrity was reinforced with cement injections, while the exterior plaster was replaced with natural mortar, allowing stones to peek through. Inside, the original stonework remains exposed, paired with polished concrete floors that offer a clean, contemporary contrast.

---

Building Two: Tranquility by the Pool

Just a few steps down at pool level, the second building flips the material palette.

• Exterior: Preserved stone facade.
• Interior: Smoothed with gunite, providing structural stability and aesthetic calm.

The star here is natural travertine, used not only on the floors but flowing seamlessly from interior to courtyard, surrounding the pool and continuing into the kitchen of the main building. It’s a material that binds the buildings together, offering a grounded sense of unity and elegance.

---

Building Three: Elevated and Introspective

Perched slightly higher, the third structure is accessible via a metal staircase, reinforcing the theme of deliberate contrasts.

Inside, a once-functional fireplace now acts as a skylight, illuminating the bedroom below—a poetic reuse that breathes new light into an old story. Natural cotto tiles blanket the floor and spill into the courtyard, tying indoors and outdoors in warm continuity.

Outside, a metal pergola shaded with reeds creates a textured canopy—inviting guests to gather, pause, and reflect.

---

The Emotional Landscape of Corte Interna

What truly elevates this project is how materiality becomes emotional language:

• Metal, wood, fabric, glass, and gypsum are not merely construction elements, but actors in a theatrical performance that plays out across time.
• Earthy tones and tactile textures don’t mask the buildings’ age—they honor the patina of history while engaging with the present.
• Light, sculptural furniture and thoughtful lighting choices contrast yet complement the sturdy stone walls, creating a symphony of contrasts that feels anything but dissonant.

The inner courtyard—the Corte Interna—is the stage. With linear planters, minimalist structures, and a careful choreography of space and silence, it becomes a scene of rest, renewal, and reflection.

---

A Place Apart: Designed to Disconnect

Corte Interna is not simply a restored property. It’s a spatial experience designed to pull you out of everyday routine, inviting you into a slower rhythm of life.

Through intentional architecture, emotional design, and respect for history, Evi Kotsou’s Design Emotions Atelier delivers a modern sanctuary that feels utterly grounded in place—yet transcendent in spirit.

---

Final Thoughts

In a world that prizes speed and novelty, Corte Interna is a reminder that beauty lives in the layers of time, in dialogue, in contrast. Whether you’re an architecture lover, a design enthusiast, or a weary traveler seeking rest—this is a place that will make you feel.

---

Location: Kalivani, Chania – near Balos, Crete

Architect: Evi Kotsou, Design Emotions Atelier

Best Time to Visit: Sunset in the courtyard, when stone glows and shadows dance.

---

Like what you see?
Save this post, share it with your fellow design lovers, or start planning your escape to Corte Interna.