Casa Bendico blends international design principles with local Sicilian craftsmanship
Sergio Grazia

Casa Bendico blends international design principles with local Sicilian craftsmanship

14 Oct 2024  •  News  •  By Allie Shiell

Designed by Gaëtan Le Penhuel Architectes, Casa Bendico is a residential project located in the picturesque town of Noto, Sicily. Emphasizing a refined simplicity and environmental sensitivity, the house reflects a blend of international design principles and local craftsmanship. Additionally, the project was executed by multiple local contractors from Syracuse, Modica, and Catania, ensuring the project aligns with the regional construction techniques and aesthetic sensibilities.

photo_credit Sergio Grazia
Sergio Grazia

Located in a seismically active region and threatened by fires in dry periods, the materials and systems selected for the project ensure it is safe, comfortable, and cool when temperatures exceed 40°C (104°F). 

The exterior walls are made with artisanal cast concrete and constructed as a shuttered double shell. Red and brown pozzolan from Mount Etna blend into the low-carbon concrete's composition, enabling the double shell to blend with the warm tones of the soil on the surrounding hills. 

photo_credit Sergio Grazia
Sergio Grazia

Local artisans undertook the concrete shuttering of the walls, which includes natural oak panelling concealing doors and cabinets. Double sliding louvres filter and modulate direct sunlight while protecting against intruders. Large pieces of travertine from the quarries of Lazio near Rome are included in the interior and exterior furniture.  

photo_credit Sergio Grazia
Sergio Grazia

Thanks to the high level of material inertia, a passive system of Puits provencal (or thermal wells) provides continuous, gentle ventilation. The cold from the almost constant temperature of the earth (from a depth of two meters and collected by a long cast-iron tube) is distributed to every room in the house. Ceiling fans in the bedrooms provide additional comfort. 

The house layout comprises a large living room and three bedrooms, crossed by a central east-west axis. The entry patio is equipped with an outdoor kitchen, including a fountain that increases hygrometric comfort in the summer. A second patio serves as the setting for an outdoor shower. 

photo_credit Sergio Grazia
Sergio Grazia

The large south-east facing terrace protects the bay windows in the bedrooms and living room. Deep and wide, it becomes a natural extension of the interior living areas. Its contrasting structure combines solid pillars, and a light arbour covered with local canisses. These various outdoor spaces allow users to use the space according to the season and take advantage of a variety of views of he sky, countryside, sea, or mountains.