On the panoramic terrace with white and emerald green ceramic pavement the lighthouse is still there, since 1911, to indicate the entrance to Porto Canale, a small presence as compared to gigantic Mt. Etna.
“The sea is the color of peacocks; and right in front, beyond these iridescent waves, rises Etna; from no other place can it be seen to such advantage, calm, powerful, truly divine,” wrote Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, in the story “The Professor and the Mermaid,” where he described the view one has when reaching the historic town of Brucoli, in the province of Siracusa, a point of land surrounded by the sea and guarded since 1467 by the Aragonese Castle of Queen Giovanna.
This precious heritage site has been transformed, conserving its architectural identity, into a remarkable residence for tourists, thanks to the project Valore Paese – Fari dell’Agenzia del Demanio, which since 2015 has already rescued from neglect 16 coastal sites of great beauty, given new life by clients driven by the desire to enhance and protect buildings and landscape. In this case the initiative was taken by Azzurra Capital, holder of a 50-year concession to utilize the lighthouse, which commissioned Itinera Studio Associato to create a project of conservative restoration and conversion that would exploit the natural setting and bring out the architectural characteristics of the site.
Besides reinforcing the masonry structure using biocompatible materials and technologies, the firm has inserted new outdoor pathways made with stone salvaged from adjacent areas. For the interiors, the flooring is in local Modica stone.
The two levels of the residence are subdivided into living and dining areas, a kitchen with professional gear, and large bedrooms with private baths. The wellness areas, all installed by Antoniolupi, extend onto the panoramic terraces furnished with collections by Talenti.
Inside, the atmosphere is minimalist and contemporary, made timeless with many pieces by great masters of Italian design like Giò Ponti, Franco Albini, Marco Zanuso, Rodolfo Dordoni, Antonio Citterio, and the collections of Arclinea, Arflex, B&B, Cassina, Maxalto, Molteni, Porro, Zanotta. Great care has gone into the technical lighting project, carried out by Mario Nanni, to make the indoor and outdoor spaces livable and striking, in a setting of inestimable beauty. A private walkway leads to the sea.
Credits:
Client: Azzurra Capital Srl, Milan
Design and supervision: Giuseppe Di Vita, Itinera Studio Associato
Technical lighting: Mario Nanni
Wellness: Antonio Lupi
Restoration and conversion: EmmaLavori
Indoor furnishings: Zanotta, Cassina, Molteni, Maxalto, Arclinea, Arflex, Antonio Lupi, Porro
Outdoor furnishings: Talenti
Doors: Rimadesio
Lights: Viabizzuno
Audio&media: Bang & Olufsen
Photos: Benedetto Tarantino
