MORQ aims for Villa RA to become part of the landscape with its horizontal orientation and earthy texture. They opt for a limited palette of materials to strengthen the simple geometry and visual and tactile connection to the landscape.
Rigorous sampling and trials lead to an exterior and interior use of Cocciopesto, a type of plaster chromatically akin to the soil. The material changes hues throughout the day and reveals movement through casting shadows.
The villa is located in Italy’s southern tip, Calabria, on top of a ridge that extends towards the sea. Ingrained in the project is an intent to connect the spaces to the sea-view and surrounding landscape. This resulted in a compact structure carefully punctuated with openings that frame the landscape.
The villa is designed as a summer retreat for two people that also want to be able to host friends and family. The clients listed a program with large indoor and outdoor living areas, a generous kitchen with outdoor service area, an ensuite bedroom and a quarter for the staff.
MORQ organises the plan like a traditional Italian villa based on an axial ordering system. The North-South axis progresses from a shielded patio and opens up incrementally towards the living room and opens up completely in the portico with spectacular sea panoramas. The East-West axis runs from public to private spaces, moving from kitchen and living room to the sleeping quarters.
Both the axial arrangement and thick 600 millimeters walls create a passive filter that protects against strong northern wind and direct sun from the south. The thermal mass alleviates Italy’s coastal hot days and cool nights. Large openings facilitate the cross ventilation as well as frame the surrounding landscape.
