LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
SCULPTURAL VILLA
Architecture with a tailor’s precision, born from a deep connection with the landscape
A sculptural villa lies on the peninsula of Abbiadori, overlooking the magnificent Cala Volpe, in one of the most beautiful panoramas of Sardinia. Designed by Fabio Mazzeo, the house stands out for its visionary character and for the way it weaves an interplay of continuous references to emphasize the links between the building and its natural setting. It is architecture with a tailor’s precision: here, design takes place on all scales, down to the minutest detail, to shape a unique style.
Mazzeo describes, “Our way of designing and building is deeply rooted in an ideal of Italian beauty that is never static, but rather is translated each time into a unique style that grows out of the customer’s desires. We achieve this goal by engaging cross-functional talent and skills, including artists, artisans, decorators, painters, and all the creatives and designers of the Fabio Mazzeo team, in a holistic and organic vision of architecture.”
The unifying theme of the design is travertine, which completely covers the villa and continues inside. A palette of exceptional marble alternates between Navona travertine, walnut, sandblasted, bush hammered, and polished finishes, bringing movement and light to the structure and full-height windows that capture ever-changing views. The home’s fluid volumes appear to have been sculpted by the wind, following the contours of the land in a fascinating interaction with the natural setting. The nearly 14,000-square-foot building unfolds over three levels in a harmonious symbiosis with the 1.2-acres of terraced gardens and the panoramic infinity pool.
Conceived as a dynamic polyhedron, the villa evokes new emotions from every side. The west facade, visible from afar and much more symmetrical and regular than the others, offers the classic and imposing image of a fortress silhouetted against the horizon. Its starkness is softened by the presence of ancient olive trees and the organic development of the architecture. The south facade, almost entirely transparent, opens to the view of the Pevero and the facing islands, while the large windows of the east facade act as a light filter between the interior and the garden.
To the north, the main entrance immediately catches the eye. The marble molded frame with its asymmetrical embrasure converges towards the portal, which, like a textural painting in polished and sandblasted steel, evokes a panorama of sails. From here, the interiors unfold, rich in theatrical details like the backdrop that surrounds the home theater room: hand-plastered panels with gold and silver leaf decorations echo the skyline of Cala Volpe, part of the evocation of natural elements that characterize the home’s interior.
Bleached oak paneling and reflective surfaces give light and charm to the entire second floor, designed as a vast open space where each individual space flows seamlessly into the next, from the entryway to the living and dining rooms. In the guest area, visitors are welcomed and impressed by the wine cellar: an oak-paneled marvel dedicated to wine tasting.
The villa has many furnishings explicitly designed for this project by Fabio Mazzeo’s team and realized by the finest Italian artisan craftsmen. These unique pieces are juxtaposed with contemporary design jewels, such as the Living Divani seats in the living room area. The lighting design creates striking scenes, with sumptuous and delicate chandeliers by Vistosi, jewel chandeliers by Lolli and Memmoli, ultra-modern wall lights by Catellani & Smith, and artistic wall sconces by Visionnaire. Each object was chosen with extreme care, from the pair of sinuous metal vases by De Castelli, which create chiaroscuro effects in the lobby, to the elegant and precious Porada mirrors in the night area, where bedside tables, chairs, and chests of drawers by Opera Contemporary are paired with beds by Twils, fabrics by Rubelli, and armchairs by Fendi Casa. The master bedroom includes two crystalline marble bathrooms with sea-toned mosaic decorations by SICIS, and elegant washbasins by Villeroy & Boch. These striking pieces also appear in the guest bathrooms, along with the evocative botanically-inspired mosaics, also by SICIS.
The surrounding landscape pervades the design, from the lounges to the guest and master bedrooms and the kitchen. The effect is almost overwhelming, offering ever-changing views where light and greenery become integral to the architecture. This intense dialogue with Nature reaches its climax in the relaxation areas of the garden, swimming pool, and terrace roof with its evocative floorboards that call toward the Mediterranean.