Throughout history, natural stone, as a structural material, has characterized regional Mediterranean architecture, and still continues to make its presence very strongly known, especially in contemporary examples of villa typology. Modern Mediterranean homes embody man’s longing to return back to nature, largely shaped by natural stone, given its ability to adapt to regional climatic and cultural dynamics, coexist with nature, and present numerous functional and aesthetic advantages. For these reasons and more, we have selected 5 inspirational Mediterranean homes spanning Italy, France, Spain, Greece, and Lebanon, designed by modern architects, and chiseled with stone, for this issue’s Showcase page…
Casa ECS / Sicily, İtaly
Architectural Design: Giuseppe Gurrieri Studio
Construction Date: 2017
Area: 230 sqm
Photography: Manuela Minaldi
Natural Stone: Retaining walls and façade lining
Locale: Regional natural stone
Designed by Giuseppe Gurrieri Studio, Casa ECS is located on the Italian island of Sicily. Due to the nature of its terrain, the soft leaning land towards the Mediterranean was moulded by a series of terraces that stretch beyond the horizon, surrounded by olive and carob trees, and protected by dry stone walls. The project’s design had been materialized by adapting the structure to the natural environment surrounding it, all the while being as minimally disruptive as possible and clinging to the principles of energy conservation. The design’s fundamental concept aims to create a natural steppingstone out of the structure that can seamlessly be integrated into the terrain that it sits upon, build a retaining wall lined with local stones, and project the terraces that retract into the wall. The architects opted to use the natural White stone found in and around the cite, both in the front façade extending towards Casa ESC’s sides, as well as in the retaining wall. This, in turn, created an eye-catching continuum between the pastoral landscape and the traditional cultivated plot of land. Moreover, the rooftop garden gives the structure the illusion that it is one with its surroundings. Two courtyards north of the house moreover maintain the historical tradition of the neighboring homes. The structure’s interior was designed in such a way that it fit the texture of the exterior façade. The living room is positioned so that, to the north, it overlooks the courtyard, while to the south it overlooks the sea. This design decision gives one the impression of being right in the middle of the landscape. Throughout the design on whole, priority was given to using renewable energy sources in order to ensure high thermal insulation alongside energy efficiency, making the structure stand out as being environmentally friendly.
Casa M3 / Mallorca, Spain
Architectural Design: OLARQ-Osvaldo Luppi Architects
Completion Date: 2017
Area: 560 sqm
Photography: Mauricio Fuertes
Natural Stone: Sandstone
Locale: Interior and exterior facades, flooring
Situated in Mallorca, M3 House was designed upon a section of urban fabric amid a series of other dwellings. The location of the plot of land and its characteristic features had played a key role in its design. Seeking both privacy as well as a view of the sea, the compact volume at the initial stage of the design was divided, opening room for a courtyard. A series of concepts such as transparency, reflection, and a veranda length view strengthen the unbroken existence of the infinite emptiness. Perched along land that gently leans from north to south, the house was designed with two floors, including a basement. Conditions such as the narrowness of the plot, the presence of neighbouring homes, the perspective of the view, and the space’s orientation set up a traceable strategy in the design. The interiors within this compact, sandstone-lined dwelling are surrounded by a veranda that, while laterally closed to the other houses, maintains the north-south continuity on the ground floor, and accents both the interior as well as the exterior with natural stone flooring.
The Hug House / Paros, Greece
Architectural Design: Re-act Architects
Completion Date: 2017
Area: 150 sqm
Photography: George Messaritakis
Natural Stone: Regional natural stone
Locale: Cross walls surrounding the structure
Designed by Re-act Architects, Hug House is nestled on the island of Paros, Greece. Overlooking the Naoussa Peninusula, the area that the project sits on is protected by law, and rests at the foot of the Environmental Park of Pannos (Aghios Ioannis Detis). Comprised of a two-building complex, the project also contains an open common space and pool. The design takes root in a large structural mass, split in two, and yet one with the terrain. The masses are positioned so that they look out onto the view, follow the slope, and are sheltered from the northern winds, whilst also harboring a central courtyard. The main goal of the design is to have as little an impact as possible on the protected region, meaning that the decisions focused on integrating the structure into the topography, the entrance to which is found along the north of the terrain at the highest point, surrounded by stone cross walls. The stone walls “snuggle” the building, protecting it from peering eyes. At certain points, the walls adapt both to the floor and the environment, becoming part of the structure; at other points, they create courtyards. The structure’s white plaster walls can only be seen from within the inner courtyards. Its façades, in contrast, can only partially be sensed by passers by, ensuring both the much-needed privacy as well as completely camouflaging the building into the backdrop.
Senses / Zahlé, Lebanon
Architectural Design: Wael Farran Studio
Completion Date: 2019
Area: 3000 sqm (garden), 220 sqm (interior)
Photography: Genia Maalouf
Natural Stone: Indian limestone and marble
Locale: Façade, exterior flooring, bathroom
Positioned in southern Lebanon, Senses is a pool house that was designed and constructed onto the end of pre-existing home. Meant to create a seamlessly holistic lifestyle balanced between the interior, exterior, and landscape, the pool includes a family room, gym, bedroom, bathrooms, exterior showers, a service kitchen, and change room. Olive trees dotting the property draw one’s attention towards a different space, while the grades of the terrain were re-purposedin order construct a small pool below upon which a 8 m waterfall gushes into from the horizon line, alongside a jacuzzi carrying infinity into that pool. The space also contains a children’s pool as well. While the house imparts you with a sense of Zen throughout the day, strategically placed lighting scattered throughout gives it an ethereal feel come nightfall. Each pool is lined with terrazzo tiling, whereas the Indian limestone dominates the façade. Likewise, baffle walls throughout the interior were built so that the entire space becomes completely visible from the inside, with the ceiling merging with the upper garden in order to accent the project’s open-air feel.
Maison Sud des Landes / Hossegor, France
Architectural Design: Jean-Philippe Pargade Architecte
Completion Date: 2017
Area: 200 sqm
Photography: Sergio Grazia
Natural Stone: Burgundy
Locale: Interior flooring
Fashioned by Jean-Philippe Pargade Architecte, the Maison Sud des Landes in France rests upon a sand dune lined with pine and cork oak trees nestled between a lake and the sea. The design consists of newly built upper floors above the buried basement from the previous on the same plot of land.Resting atop the pre – existing basement via a concrete base, the new structure was constructed from wood and metal due in order to keep the building as light as possible. Square in shape, the house includes a living room, open kitchen, and two bedrooms placed around a veranda. A central staircase facilitates circulation between the initial two floors. A second set of stairs leads you from veranda onto a rooftop garden. The square plan is accented with aVgallery suspended along a protective pentroof encasing the house,Vand decorated with sliding screen mesh. Burgundy stone was theVmaterial of choice for the flooring, whereas black pine appears alongVthe ceiling and woodwork, red cedar along the screen doors, andVconcrete along the bearing elements.
