Villa Mylae, the myth and the landscape in Mediterranean architecture

The extraordinary landscape context

The team of the NextBuild studio accepted the design challenge in an intervention area characterized by high landscape value. Located near a Site of Community Importance (SCI), it offers a panoramic view of the Aeolian Islands and is part of a culturally and mythologically significant context.
According to Level 2 Protection of the Landscape Plan, the intervention had to include visual impact mitigation and the recovery of the original environmental characteristics, eliminating or reducing visual disturbances.

The local construction tradition, evidenced by the nearby ancient residences, sees the houses directly facing the street, in a continuous dialogue with the surrounding landscape. However, the two existing buildings no longer respected these original features.

Design Concept

The project of Villa Mylae initially focused on a "subtraction" methodology rather than addition, seeking a harmonious integration with the anthropic and natural context of Capo Milazzo. The central concept is to reinterpret contemporary living, in dialogue with the surrounding Mediterranean landscape.

The NextBuild studio, specialized in architectural projects contextualized in the landscape, aimed with this intervention to maintain the peculiarities of the two existing structures, recovering the lesson of the "volume under the sun," typical of Mediterranean architecture. A double strategy was adopted, both at a plastic and constructive level:

• The northernmost body, completely demolished and rebuilt, has become a compact and modern structure, with a usable terrace roof protected by a pergola made of adjustable aluminum slats, allowing optimal enjoyment of the landscape.

• The masonry facade has been extended and expanded, emphasizing the plastic character of the building and strengthening its presence as a landmark compared to the underlying Via Paradiso.

The new architectural project

The new facade of the masonry building, punctuated by inserts of lava stone, stands out with a modern line compared to the original structure. Characterized by a large opening that offers a view of the street, it is further enriched by steel moldings and lava stone cladding. The choice to use lime and hemp plaster as a surface finish helps to reinforce the spirit of sustainability that permeates the entire project.

Despite the stylistic detachment between the new facade and the rear volume, it was desired to recall a typical element of the historical architecture of Milazzo, namely the emphasis on the street-facing facade to enhance its representativeness.

The reinforced concrete structure, renovated, takes on an essential and compact geometry, shaped by cuts that define its articulation. A transparent pergola protects the external staircase and the terrace, offering at the same time an exceptional view of the surrounding landscape.

Indoor and Outdoor Spaces

Great attention has been paid to the integration between indoor and outdoor spaces. The property's entrances have been designed to interact with the garden and the architectural elements, creating a harmonious continuum between the residence and the surrounding greenery. The garden, which surrounds the villa on the south and west sides, features thematic areas with earth beds, gravel, and aromatic plants. The existing trees have been preserved and integrated into the new landscaping design.