An structure that belongs to a panorama of sea, unspoilt nature, peace and quiet. A undertaking that not solely safeguards the territory, but in addition recovers and redevelops a chunk of public heritage, a part of the transformation of a spot of nice worth by way of panorama, historical past and tradition. Within the coronary heart of the island of Salina, Sicily, on a windswept promontory that drops straight down into the blue waters of the Mediterranean, the undertaking by MAB Arquitectura for architectural restoration and inside design of the traditional Capofaro lighthouse complicated gave form to 6 suites within the long-since deserted, evocative areas that have been as soon as the lighthouse keeper’s quarters. Due to a restoration embracing a philological strategy that has reconnected the property to its genuine roots and reminiscence, MAB Arquitectura, the agency led by architects Floriana Marotta and Massimo Basile, gained a particular point out on the 2023 In/Arch Awards within the Reuse/Restoration class.
The suites and island-mood decor: the poetry of “much less is extra”
Created in the principle constructing of this lighthouse constructed on the finish of the nineteenth century, the suites, silent and secluded of their unassuming luxurious, are an extension of the adjoining “Capofaro Locanda & Malvasia”, an outdated winery remodeled right into a refined wine resort by the Tasca D’Almerita household and now a part of the Relais&Châteaux assortment. The MAB Arquitectura undertaking for redistribution and restyling of the interiors was all about minimalism and understatement and it has preserved some fascinating components such because the barrel-vaulted ceilings and the spiral staircase as much as the lantern, initially positioned on the roof of the keeper’s quarters.
Measuring both 30 or 50 sq. metres, the suites all have personal gardens and separate entrances, whereas the most important, measuring 80 sq. metres, in the midst of the complicated, is on two ranges. It has home windows back and front and a panoramic terrace providing breathtaking views of the ocean, vineyards, vegetable plots and gardens. For the inside design, MAB Arquitectura opted for the sober practical character of conventional Aeolian structure for the custom-made furnishings, selection of native supplies, furnishings, and materials. The inside palette borrows its colors from the encompassing nature: heat and reassuring earthy tones reminiscent of brown, sand, white, and beige, are juxtaposed with touches of sea blue.
Microcement flooring, white lime partitions, masonry and wood furnishings, limestone washbasins, cement tiles within the loos handcrafted by a historic firm in Santa Flavia to the architects’ design: all components that outline an idea of luxurious that’s cultured reasonably than contrived. “In environment which are so impressively pure and so steeped in suggestive energy, we adopted the poetry of “much less is extra” for the interiors, designing every element with nice care however no added frills. We needed to outline every room with an class and minimalism to render the concept of refined, understated luxurious, of time passing slowly, in the great thing about easy issues,” explains architect Floriana Marotta.
The exteriors: restoration and enhancement of the historic lighthouse complicated
Nonetheless in use immediately, the lighthouse is barely set again from the principle physique of the Capofaro Locanda & Malvasia Property and it seems out over the splendour of the Aeolian sea like a pure terrace, watching over sailors with its mild and iconic picture. The MAB Arquitectura undertaking for the out of doors areas additionally respects the reminiscence of this place, with recognition of the architectural, historic, panorama, and cultural worth of the complicated, a real instance of the economic archaeology of navigation. It has been renovated with a philological strategy that first noticed structural consolidation of the vaults, renovation of the weather- and salt-worn tufa ashlars on the façade, and of the cornices and sills, after which replastering for the lime façade according to Aeolian custom.
Architects Floriana Marotta and Massimo Basile additionally landscaped the realm across the lighthouse and, selecting to reinforce the genius loci, they drew on this island’s riches, creating dry stone partitions and paths in native volcanic gravel, with bamboo dividers on slender buildings offering discreet shade for the personal gardens of the suites.
The panorama design noticed the creation of a small botanical museum in several places, that includes the principle Mediterranean maquis crops and autochthonous species discovered on the island of Salina, to make sure an emotional cognitive expertise for resort visitors.
Sinuous paths wind by the vegetation, permitting guests to discover themed islands of typical Mediterranean shrubs reminiscent of capers, myrtle, broom, lavender and strawberry timber, olives, laurel hedges and mastic timber, in addition to prickly pears, rosemary, agave, and bougainvillea. A small adjoining constructing has been became a Micro Museum of Malvasia, a multimedia area housing movies and infographic panels that illustrate a sequence of themes carefully linked to the island’s territory and historical past. A vacation expertise that unfolds progressively, in a spot the place visitors can let go and discover their actual selves.
The redevelopment of lighthouses represents true regeneration of locations with a captivating previous, which sees the heritage of some lastly turning into a shared legacy, in addition to an necessary driver for native financial development. The Capofaro restoration undertaking is a part of the ‘Valore Paese Italia Fari’ undertaking, a plan to reinforce the worth of public actual property promoted by Difesa Servizi S.p.A. and Agenzia del Demanio (the company for state-owned property), which consists in giving rooms inside lighthouses in concession to personal people, to make sure their safety and restoration, whereas concurrently selling the native economic system.
Supply: Inside Zine
