Villa Arcipelago, Sardinia by Gianni Botsford Architects

Villa Arcipelago Gianni Botsford Architects Costa Smeralda, Sardinia

Villa Arcipelago Gianni Botsford Architects Costa Smeralda, Sardinia

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Villa Arcipelago The Myth of the Costa Smeralda A Day at Villa Arcipelago Plans Models Gianni Botsford Architects Site Context

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Villa Arcipelago

US Army Map Service Topographic Map Series 1945, University of Texas at Austin

When I started to think about this project I was struck by the rugged nature of the site. It seemed both entirely beautiful and somehow inhospitable. It was asking for a house to be built there. It was asking to be tamed.

I wanted the project to emerge from the site, and at the same time be from Sardinia, to be Sardinian deep within itself. I felt it needed to be heavy and cool, almost carved from the ground, but also sheltering and expansive, a tamed landscape to experience the climate, views

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Villa Arcipelago and nature that surround it. I wanted it to be rooted to the topography, and defined by the varying levels. I wanted to experience light and dark, wet and dry throughout the house. I wanted every room to have a view to the sea and for this to be the driving link to the Sardinia beyond- the Sardinia of islands and rocks, water and wind.

I have made it feel like this as I believe Architecture should come from the place it is situated in, and should feel like it has always wanted to be there. The terraces, sheltered overhanging roofs, pools and walls all contribute to a feeling of seclusion, protection and enclosure that will generate a sense of overwhelming connection to nature. To live outside, to sit in the shade, to watch the weather, to feel the water, to float in the sea, to touch the stone. This is Sardinia.

Organised as a series of islands, each space is individually and uniquely placed on the sloping landscape. To travel from one room to another is an external voyage through stepping terraces, courtyards and views to reach new destinations and activities. Heavy walls, floors and roofs balance one on top of the other following the topography of the site, creating organically organised indoor and outdoor spaces.

An archipelago in the landscape.

Villa Arcipelago.

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The Myth of the Costa Smeralda

Luigi Vietti construction site in Porto Cervo in the early 1960’s

The Costa Smeralda has created a myth about itself that is unique.

Discovered in the late 1950’s by the Aga Khan, this stunningly beautiful place was turned into a paradise for la dolce vita, and the rich and famous have been visiting ever since.

A striking part of the story is that Architecture was at the heart of it- the original architectural premise was that all buildings were to preserve the pre-existing natural environment and to blend an organically inspired language with the local building tradition.

Architects including Jacques Couëlle, Luigi Vietti, and Michele Busiri Vici were tasked with working with the landscape and developing the unique style that is synonymous with the Costa Smeralda. Creating

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Villa Arcipelago a dialogue between stone, wood and stucco, soft corners, with balconies, towers, and staggered rooflines, an organic architecture developed that has been adopted for all developments in the Costa Smeralda since then. The Hotel Cala di Volpe by Jacques Couëlle in 1961, Hotel Romazzino by Michele Busiri Vici in 1964 and the Pitrizza

by Luigi Vietti are the leading examples of this style.

Grace Kelly and her husband, Prince Ranieri III of Monaco, 1967

The myth of the Costa Smeralda weaves nature, architecture and lifestyle into one – a life lived outdoors with beautiful people, beautiful food and a beautiful environment, and it was the Aga Khan’s original love for the wild and uncontaminated nature of Sardinia that resulted in the development of this holiday destination. That mythical connection remains active to this day.

I propose a new beachside villa at the heart of this, Villa Arcipelago, that re-invents an approach to building within this unique environment.

A Day at Villa Arcipelago

7:00 – 13:45 La Maddalena Lavezzi The Master Suites Level Nibani Caprera

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

07:00

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

07:20

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

08:15 Wet and Dry. The cool internal spaces look out onto the external bath and private shaded terrace of the Lavezzi Master Suite. Polished concrete surfaces are sculpted to form basins, shower walls and seats.

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago Nature invades the villa and forms spaces with shade and privacy spilling onto the private terraces.

09:58

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

Suspended over the wild Mediterranean scrub, projected towards the sea at the sound of summer cicadas. This is where peace is found.

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

12:15 Retreating into a coastal cave, the panoramic view is enhanced by the cantilevered concrete roof of the kitchen and dining room, and light and dark contrasts are revealed.

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

13:15

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

From the courtyard pool, protected from the winds, the islands of Caprera and La Maddalena create the backdrop to the view.

13:45 – 15:30 Panoramic Swimming Pool Sea View Cappuccini Cau

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

13:45

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

14:30 The terraces become an inhabitable landscape, rooted in topography. A privileged point of view from where to enjoy the wild natural surroundings.

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

14:55

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

15:09 Integrated with the nature that surrounds it, Villa Arcipelago hugs the sloping terrain in a series of cascading terraces. Formed entirely of crafted in situ concrete using local aggregates and stone, the architecture responds intimately to the climate, context and culture of the Costa Smeralda.

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

15:21

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

Multiple views are created to the sea and the Sardinia of islands, rocks, water and wind.

15:30 – 16:03 La Maddalena Courtyard Swimming Pool Social Level

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago On a windy day, the protected courtyard provides the much needed shelter, allowing to enjoy the sun and the views of the landscape.

15:30

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

15:41 When the inside and the outside merge, living becomes a harmonious flow.

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

18:03 – 20:39 Panoramic Swimming Pool La Maddalena Spargi The Master Suites Level

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

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To watch the weather, to feel the water, to float in the sea, to spend your days in the open air.

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

19:57 At sunset, the house, the water, the sky and arcipelago in the distance become one

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

20:24

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago

20:39 Sometimes a social atmosphere is preferred. Others, a more contemplative mood is needed.

The villa subtly allows both to happen effortlessly.

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A Day at Villa Arcipelago A stepped garden connects the various levels, a place of precious smell and visual delight.

Plans

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Plans

Lavezzi Master Suite

Walk-in Wardrobe

Bathroom

Terrace

The Myth Master Sardinia Suites Level

Spargi Master Suite

Bathroom

Terrace

Walk-in Wardrobe

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Plans

Nibani Bedroom Cau Bedroom

Capuccini Bedroom

Bathroom Panoramic Swimming Pool

Terrace

Bathroom

The Myth Bedrooms SardiniaLevel

Budelli Bedroom Razzoli Bedroom

Bathroom

Terrace

Staff Apartment Bathroom

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Plans

La Maddalena Living Room

Sauna Gym

Service Kitchen

Courtyard Swimmin Courtyard

Terrace

Panoramic Swimming Pool Path to the Beach and Boat Jetty

Terrace

d ng Pool

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The MythSocial Sardinia Level

Arrival

Caprera Kitchen + Dining Room

Staff Kitchen

Parking Entrance

Terrace

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Models

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Models

1:100Myth CastSardinia plaster model

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Models

1:100Myth CastSardinia plaster model

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Models

1:100Myth CastSardinia plaster model

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Models

1:100Myth CastSardinia plaster model

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Models

1:100 Cast plaster model

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Gianni Botsford Architects

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Gianni Botsford Architects What makes our buildings and projects both original and notable is, we think, the absence of a statement, the lack of an ego, the way they fit into their culture, the economy and attention to detail of their design. They reflect the GBA ethos of working closely with a client to make sure that the project fits into its surroundings and tallies with the client's needs and desires: if an art gallery, the contents must be visible; if a house, the rooms must be liveable; if a school, it must be enjoyable as an environment; if a whole village, it should be where people would want to live.

GBA's success is built on its individuality. It is not a mammoth practice in which teams of draftsmen work and execute someone else's bidding. It is a small, private firm – extremely flexible – able to design and supervise construction anywhere in the world: from the prize-winning Light House in Notting Hill to the Lubetkin Prize winner for Casa Ki-Ké in Costa Rica, from a whole village in the hills of Taiwan to ingenious solutions for a New York skyscraper, a museum in Estonia or a villa perched on a sand dune in the Bahamas.

There is an unity, or unities, among so much variety. All GBA projects are original solutions to particular problems of the surroundings, materials, and local traditions using carefully applied science. They are all based on a thorough thinking-through of the available light, the weather, the disposition of their elements, of how to make the most out of any site, and for any purpose. We focus on how they can be made to fit in their context, be local and humane, while still being original, beautiful and apt.

Projects

Palazzo del Riflesso Grand Canal, Venice, Italy, 2017

Pink Sand Pavilion and Tower Harbour Island, The Bahamas, 2016 –

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Gianni Botsford Architects

Casa Kiké Cahuita Costa Rica, 2007

Light House Notting Hill, London, 2005

Site Context

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Site Context

How to get there Villa Arcipelago is approximately 40 minutes by car from the airport and the ferry.

The 70 km long Costa Smeralda features some of the most untouched and spectacular beaches in Europe, many only accessible by boat, as well as numerous places of interest around Porto Cervo that can be reached by car.

The Villa is close to Liscia di Vacca, a small town located in a small bay at few minutes from Porto Cervo. The bay faces north offering magnificent views of the Maddalena Archipelago to the north-west, Caprera Island to the north, and is just a stone’s throw from Porto Cervo Marina.

Villa Arcipelago Location

Private airport

Spiaggia Capo Ferro, 8 – Porto Cervo 07021 (OT) – Italy

Eccelsa Aviation is a handling company that operates a dedicated private and business aviation terminal at Olbia airport. Located on the north east coast of Sardinia – close to Costa Smeralda.

Commercial Flights Daily and weekly flights from all over Europe (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherland, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland)

www.eccelsa.com

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In the Vicinity of the Villa Razzoli Santa Maria

Budelli

Spargi

La Maddalena Caprera Santo Stefano

Isola delle Bisce

Capo D’orso

Porto Cervo Villa Arcipelago

Nibani

Mortorio Le Camere

Arzachena

Nuraghe

Soffi San Pataleo

Porto Rotondo

Golfo Aranci

Tavolara

Contact contact@villa-arcipelago-costa-smeralda.com

Credits Architect Gianni Botsford Architects, London www.giannibotsford.com Gianni Botsford, Jernej Cencic, James Eagle, Anahi Copponex, Luigi Parise Structural Engineering Entuitive, London www.entuitive.com Visualisations: Gianni Botsford Architects Model Buit Taller, Barcelona www.buit.es Model photography Adrià Goula, Barcelona www.adriagoula.com/es Photography Gianni Botsford Architects, 123RF, Michael Wojcik (portrait), Christian Richters (Casa Ki-Ké), Helene Binet (Light House), Alessandra Chemollo (Palazzo del Riflesso) Graphic Design Polimekanos, London www.polimekanos.com Printer Pureprint Group, London www.pureprint.com © All rights reserved. No part of this document may be used or reproduced in any way whatsoever without prior written permission. This book does not constitute a legally binding offer.

Villa Arcipelago Gianni Botsford Architects