Villa Emma

Mario Mazzer Architects has reinterpreted the traditional structure of the “stazzu” cottage choosing full body sintered stone for the coverings and swimming pool.
 
An ambitious project showing great respect for the surrounding context and culture has produced a new construction overlooking the sea in Porto Rotondo. Mario Mazzer Architects delivered the entire project and interpreted the many design constraints with a concept that modernises the rigour of the traditional Sardinian cottage with a very contemporary approach to the design of the spaces, the choice of materials and the architectural details. The result is an energy passive villa with the indoor and outdoor spaces distributed to make this home livable all year round, not only for the summer season.

Essential design paired with complex details

Introducing a new construction into a landscape ecosystem that is beautiful and at the same time delicate, in a region with deep architectural roots, was a challenge in terms of both the concept and planning. Mario Mazzer Architects therefore chose to fully respect the tradition of the area, designing a villa inspired by the simple rectangular form with a pitched roof typical of the Sardinian “stazzu”; the dwellings used by the shepherds and farmers of the Gallura region. This inspiration was, however, updated in line with modern aesthetic principles: the lower floor is grafted into the body of the mountain, and is built with hand-cut granite blocks, while the upper floor is detached from the solid beauty of the stone through large windows that reflect the external light. An extended overhang runs across the facade of the villa, serving as an element of discontinuity that cleaves and divides the pitched roof from the rest of the structure. Extending over the perimeter of the vertical walls, this architectural element becomes a beautifully elegant structure.

Lapitec®: walls, floors and swimming pool that interact with the space

Villa Emma is one of the most eloquent examples of the architectural options that Lapitec® enables and exalts. Sintered stone has been used for the floors, the interior walls, the stairs, the facade, and for the swimming pool; both in large and small formats. Its resistance to atmospheric agents and sea salt meant it could be used without limitations both inside and outside. The peculiar workability of stone allowed details such as a bullnose edge profile for the pool and the creation of steps backlit by LEDs on the internal staircase. The colours recall the typical warm and bright atmosphere of the Sardinian coast : the Avana shade in the Dune finish was chosen for the flooring and interior cladding, while the Vesuvio finish in Bianco Polare was used for the front facade. The pool – with its bottom and walls in a Grigio Cemento in the Dune finish and the external walkway in Nero Antracite Vesuvio – gives depth to the water and makes the nocturnal lighting even more impressive.

The interior: pure lines and refined materials

The materials chosen for the exterior and the interiors have been exploited in order to express their full potential, combined and placed together for affinity and contrast. The wall panels in oxidized metal with a wax finish and brushed brass edging express meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship. Natural materials such as marble, teak, granite and full grain leather have been used in innovative ways for both ceilings and wall coverings. The tones are mainly dark but warm, with calibrated touches of colour that create an elegant and welcoming atmosphere. The furnishings have been entirely custom designed, with the only standard products used hailing from renowned brands (B&B, Roda, Molteni). Great importance has been given to the architectural and decorative lighting system: recessed lighting with indirect light was installed in the ceiling, while for spot lighting, highly decorative lights were chosen (Chandelier by Salvatori, Taccia by Flos, Captain Flint by Flos, Coupè limited edition by Joe Colombo for Oluce, Abat-jour by Cini Boeri for Tronconi).

Project leader:
Arch. Mario Mazzer, Arch. Marco Da Ros

Collaborators:
Arch. Gioia Visentin, Arch. Antonella Centis, Ing. Riccardo Cagnoni, Arch. Gianluca Moras, Arch. Giulia Mazzer