Villa Mediterraneo 01 | Metroarea Architetti Associati

Villa Mediterraneo 01

The main concept of the building is the fusion of the Mediterranean culture with the natural environment. Inspired by the roman villa and by Spanish and Arab heritage, the house takes form through the natural lexicon of Italian expressionism (Moretti, Michelucci etc.), which also maintains a strong memory of Rudolf Steiner. For Metro area, in fact, designing a contemporary building in 2016 means establishing a dedicated dialogue with history and with nature.

So, for example, the continuous inside-outside relationship obtained by the big glass windows is filtered by hanging gardens, canopies and custom made bamboo shutters, that are a reminiscence of the traditional awnings and latticework Moucharabieh.

The typical central patio is the fulcrum of a complex network of multi-level paths and, at the same time, as the impluvium was used to gather water, it is enriched by a waterfall and creek that connects the two swimming pools.

The Villa shape follows the natural slope of the ground and it is lying perfectly on the hill, in a shape the reminds of an amphitheater, surrounded by nature. The use of simple materials like irregular board-formed concrete and drywalls underlines the desire to avoid a popular image of luxury, while instead pursuing a connection with the island, the ground, and its tradition. The result is thus informal and hospitable, according to the lessons of Busiri Vici, Couelle and Vietti.

Most of the material is custom made or produced on site. The use of simple materials like irregular board-formed concrete and drywalls underlines the desire to avoid a popular image of luxury, while instead pursuing a connection with the island, the ground, and its tradition. The result is thus informal and hospitable, according to the lessons of Busiri Vici, Couelle, and Vietti. Custom made bamboo shutters are a reminiscence of the traditional awnings and latticework Moucharabieh. Concrete was produced on site as no cement plant on the island could guarantee concrete density.

Project Info
Architects : Metroarea Architetti Associati
Location : Balearic Islands, Spain
Project Leader and Construction Director : Arch. Antonio Baroncelli
Architects in Charge : Arch. Antonio Baroncelli, Tazio di Pretoro, Giulio Paolo Paladini
Project Team : Elisa Di Martino, Paolo Civiero, Veronica Petrangeli, Juan Grau Fernández, Guillermo Quintas Orias, Marta Grau Fernández
Area : 1100.0 m2
Year : 2016
Type : Residential
Photographs : Fernando Alda