Seafront villa, renovation
Perched on the rocky cliffs of Bagheria, just a few kilometres from Palermo, this 1970s villa is reborn through a measured intervention that respects both its original architecture and the marine landscape surrounding it. Led by Nicola Spinetto Architectes for a private client, the project aims to reveal the existing structural and landscape qualities while bringing precision and coherence to the interior and exterior finishes.
Designed according to a repetitive grid of 90 × 90 cm squares, the house is organised as a sequence of spaces that follow the topography of the cliff. This guiding geometry (originally conceived by the Sicilian architect who still lives nearby) structures both the volumes and the framed views towards the sea. The low, massive slabs, forming powerful horizontal lines, naturally align with the horizon and extend the constant dialogue between architecture and the marine landscape.
The renovation therefore seeks to extend this logic, not through a radical transformation, but through a meticulous enhancement of the existing structure. The floors of the living room, study and bathrooms follow the structural grid, reinforcing the overall coherence. On the terrace, the layout is based on the same geometric references, clarifying uses while preserving the spirit of the place. Interior interventions favour materials already present in the house in order to amplify its unity. Slate, an emblematic material of the original building, becomes the
common thread of the project: it appears in the wet areas as well as in bespoke furniture (worktops and bookcase) created with the support of specialised Sicilian craftsmen.
Completed in October 2022, the project now delivers a fully renovated 210 m² villa, faithful to the building’s original identity while offering contemporary comfort. Combining structural rigour, restrained interventions and a constant dialogue with the sea, the villa reclaims its place in the landscape while remaining a discreet landmark overlooking Bagheria.
