Man. Nature. History.
The project finds its centre of gravity in the balance between these three elements. The farmhouse is not merely a fashion statement but constitutes a spiritual link with the past; it echoes ancient values and stands as a tangible testament to the lives of those who came before us. Restoration now allows us to enhance the dialogue between the architecture and its surroundings, making it possible to ‘open up’ the interior spaces towards nature.
The villa is situated in an agricultural area on the outskirts of the city of Ragusa, on the Iblean Plateau, characterised by a network of dry-stone walls made of limestone. Over the years, the area has undergone progressive development which has altered its original characteristics, linked above all to agricultural production and cattle farming; these activities were carried out in rural settlements, known as ‘masserie’, consisting of a complex of various stone buildings (the farmer’s dwelling, stables, and areas for processing raw milk into dairy products), arranged around a courtyard called a ‘baglio’.
The main aim of the project was therefore to establish a close relationship with the beauty of the area and its landscape, through large windows offering a striking view of the Iblean Plateau, a dialectical relationship of mutual enhancement where the architecture emerges from the landscape and establishes a fruitful dialogue with it.
The farmhouse was designed according to the principles of bioclimatic architecture, which utilises the site’s natural elements (sun, wind, water, soil and vegetation) to create thermally efficient buildings capable of meeting thermal comfort requirements, independently of any air-conditioning systems. A closed north-facing façade of stone walls is counterbalanced by the south-facing façade, which opens onto the garden through large glazed windows, facilitating control of the internal microclimate via ‘passive’ energy strategies that minimise the use of mechanical systems whilst maximising the efficiency of heat exchange between the building and its surroundings.
In high-quality architecture, it is important to offer multiple visual perspectives so that, as one moves through the space, one experiences ever-changing environments (using double-height spaces, suspended walkways, open staircases), just as it is important to differentiate between two or more zones within the same space to offer varying degrees of usability, depending on the activity taking place, one’s mood or the atmosphere. Different formal registers, different spatial harmonies and different geometric densities are required. The silence of the place completes the scene, creating a magical atmosphere that has the power to forge a perfect alchemy between mind and body. A place where one can enjoy both conviviality and relaxation.
Traces of a former loft, revealed by the recesses for the beams in the masonry, give rise to a complex double-height space. From the living room, a Corten steel staircase, with steps cantilevered from the masonry, leads to the upper-floor rooms: the master bedroom and its en-suite facilities. From there, through an old archway, a suspended steel and glass walkway leads to the guest bedrooms, ensuring the right level of privacy. The front of the villa interacts with the outdoors through large windows that adapt and enhance its use and liveability according to the seasons.
The harmonious contrast between the original features and contemporary elements creates a link between past and present, which blend with refined elegance by combining the original materials, the existing walls, the changes in level, the greenery and the views, transforming them into integral parts of the design. The use of traditional natural materials, such as local white stone and timber roofing, harmonises with contemporary, designer furnishings – minimalist yet striking – in shades of yellow, black and red, warm colours that evoke the many shades of the earth and echo traditional Sicilian architecture, creating continuity between the interior and exterior spaces. The exterior also extends into the interior through the furnishings. The table features a top carved from a section of a whole, solid log with irregular shapes, interrupted along its length by a central section. The idea was to transform it into something more functional by adding steel supports. The beauty of the bark, left intact, and the section that has been sanded smooth and protected by a clear varnish lend the space a warm atmosphere. The fire makes its way between the floor and the existing stone wall, carving out a narrow horizontal slit; the stone lifts off the ground in a surreal dynamic balance in which the slate firebox, a necessary yet absent presence, appears like a cushion of air and warmth upon which the past, memory and history levitate.
The living area itself is complemented by a deeply introspective, intimate and emotional ‘space’, concealed by wooden screens that offer a glimpse of a green, bright and airy patio – a new space of light where home and garden complement one another in the pursuit of wellbeing. Nature today cannot remain confined to the outdoors. Contemporary design, in fact, revives an element typical of certain past and present civilisations, bringing greenery into the architecture and using it like any other material. A tree is often a metaphor linked to human existence; it has always embodied an idea that commands sacred respect and brings peace to the observer. A space that inspires reflection and creativity.
“A warm cradle for one’s dreams…”