This Sicilian villa brings contemporary architecture to the foot of Mount Etna
L House is a modern Sicilian villa in perfect sync with its surroundings, designed by London-based architecture practice Transit Studio
L House is a contemporary Sicilian villa, sprawled across a generous site amid rolling hills, fertile agricultural land, leafy nature and Mount Etna in the distance. The project is the first in Italy of dynamic, emerging practice Transit Studio, headed by architect Ben Masterton-Smith and based in London. '[It] has been an incredible opportunity to learn about the rich cultural heritage of the island, the unique landscape and the abundant local ingredients and cuisine there,' he says.
A modern Sicilian villa: L House
Commissioned as a retreat by a private client, L House was conceived to emerge from its land – outlined right from the start, as a home that draws on the heritage, culture and geology of Sicily. Terraced orange, lemon, olive and avocado groves, and vineyards wrap around the site, and are represented in the project by its rich gardens and open-air terraces; meanwhile, Mount Etna's volcanic nature appears in the main building, and in particular its dark-coloured, monolithic, barn-inspired volume. Elsewhere, there are antique terracotta roof tiles and very soft pink render that create a welcome juxtaposition, drawing the visitor in.
‘We were really fascinated by the volcanic landscape and the role of Etna in the history of the island. The impact of the volcano on materials and architecture is also strongly pronounced on the island – lava being seen traditionally as a “cheap” building material on the eastern side of the island, but elevated to something rather more special in Palermo, and the reverse for the white stone from Trapani that was used as expensive ornamentation in Catania,' the architect writes.
'Catania also has various colours of render, with a more rare soft pink intonaco (render) made from sabia volcanica (volcanic sand) that proved to be an inspiration for the project. We visited a lava stone quarry and were particularly interested in a type of lava that is cut from the top of the lava flows. The stone has an almost sponge-like appearance, with air bubbles – known in Italian as ‘occhio di pernice’ (partridge eye lava) – a fantastic surface texture that we used to wrap the new volume in.'
Inside, minimalist architecture is informed by local materials and crafts that blend with the region’s abundant sunshine to make for a calm, warm and welcoming interior. Lava stone is used in different ways – in various surfaces and glazes, such as the indoor flooring and the bathroom tiles. The Transit team took its cues from the local colours of the sky and sea and the sabia volcanica to create its internal compositions. Refreshing simplicity abounds, as the architecture team masterfully crafted layered spaces that feel streamlined and organic.
‘The project epitomises the interests and passions of the studio, exploring and taking inspiration from our travels and bringing these ideas very much into the character of our work,' said Masterton-Smith. Transit Studio has since worked on a variety of projects across the UK, including the prestigious Groucho Club in London's Soho; an estate masterplan in Sussex; a rural hotel; a Grade I-listed private members’ club in St James’; and an artist retreat in a listed stable block in Devon.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
A new limited-edition Rhodes piano and Gibson doubleneck guitar aim for the stars
The new Rhodes Mk8 Earth Edition piano and Gibson Jimmy Page EDS-1275 Doubleneck guitar revisit classic instruments at a price
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
The new interior design trends we spotted at Salone del Mobile 2024
These are the interior design trends to look out for in 2024 and beyond, from soft upholstery to conversation pits and low dining
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Tiffany & Co nods to its theatrical history with a surreal new campaign
Tiffany & Co campaign ‘With Love, Since 1837’ sees Dan Tobin Smith and set designer Rachel Thomas create an offbeat set
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Modernist architecture: inspiration from across the globe
Modernist architecture has had a tremendous influence on today’s built environment, making these midcentury marvels some of the most closely studied 20th-century buildings; check back soon for new additions to our list
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Giovanni Michelucci’s dramatic concrete church in the Italian Dolomites
Giovanni Michelucci’s concrete Church of Santa Maria Immacolata in the Italian Dolomites is a reverently uplifting memorial to the victims of a local disaster
By Jonathan Glancey Published
-
Milan’s 10 Corso Como revamp nods to the concept store’s industrial character
Milanese concept store 10 Corso Como unveils its new look by 2050+, a stripped-back design that nods to its 20th-century character
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Carlo Ratti announced curator of Venice Architecture Biennale 2025
Carlo Ratti has been revealed as the Director of the Architecture Department at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025, with the specific task of curating the 19th International Architecture Exhibition
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Minimalist architecture: homes that inspire calm
These examples of minimalist architecture place life in the foreground – clutter is demoted; joy promoted
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Floating infinity pool by Herzog & De Meuron at Lake Como is largest of its kind
Herzog & de Meuron creates the largest floating infinity pool in the world for Mandarin Oriental in Lake Como
By Lauren Ho Published
-
The finest brutalist architecture in London and beyond
For some of the world's finest brutalist architecture in London and beyond, scroll below. Can’t get enough of brutalism? Neither can we.
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Best of brutalist Italian architecture chronicled in new book
Brutalist Italian architecture enthusiasts and concrete completists will be spoilt for choice by Roberto Conte and Stefano Perego’s pictorial tour
By Jonathan Bell Published