Situated on a historically significant hill, a family house combines elements of the past with modern design. This distinctive home, designed by Dean Skira, stands above a first-century B.C. Roman quarry where sarcophagi were once made. The ancient stonework forms the foundation of this contemporary residence, connecting it to its historical roots.
Dean Skira's approach goes beyond conventional architecture, embracing the philosophy of total design. His influence is evident in every aspect of the house, from its striking architectural lines to the detailed interiors and subtle lighting, except for the landscape planting, which is left to blend naturally with the surroundings.
The house's form is a dialogue with its surroundings. Its shape, orientation toward the sun, and elevated stance were all dictated by the need to preserve the archaeological treasure below. Elevated four meters above the ancient quarry, the house provides a vantage point that protects and showcases the cultural heritage beneath. Urban planning constraints further sculpted the design, requiring a precise balance of size, height, and proximity to neighboring properties.
Upon presenting the design to the Heritage Protection Agency, approval was granted, recognizing that the house not only safeguarded but also amplified the quarry’s timeless beauty. The journey from concept to completion spanned nearly four years, a testament to the intricate care required to build on such a sacred site. Skira envisioned three homes within one—a quiet revelation as you approach the driveway, the facade a seamless, dark brown canvas, concealing the entrance in anonymity. Only an almond-colored Kerrock cornice traces the building’s contours, hinting at the artistry within.
As you approach the main entrance and lean against the sculpted railing, you peer down twelve meters to the ancient stone chiseled over two millennia ago. Entering a narrow corridor, windows are placed with painterly precision, framing unexpected vistas of sea, sky, and verdant woods.
Descending to the ground floor, the architecture melds with the landscape, where plants are chosen for their ability to thrive in the sun’s varying embrace throughout the year. Skira's foresight in detailing every element—from paintings and sculptures to plants—allowed for a lighting design that celebrates surfaces rather than fixtures.
Interior lighting is integrated into custom ceiling openings that also contain ventilation ducts. This design turns the ceiling into a cooling surface with hidden panels above the drywall. The complex integration required extensive design refinement to ensure all details were perfectly aligned.
The residence features approximately 800 lighting fixtures, including those illuminating the 2000 square meters of surrounding landscape. The lighting system, orchestrated by Lutron HQ, responds to your presence with sensor-activated illumination, eliminating the need for manual switches. The lighting adapts to the time of night, offering a soft glow in the corridors after 22:00, and a gentle 10% intensity after midnight. For those moments when full illumination is required, a simple button press suffices.
An innovative aspect of this lighting system is the "landscape lighting" within indoor plant vases. Custom-designed planters conceal wiring, allowing uplights to cast dramatic shadows of leaves on the ceiling, creating a living, breathing canvas of light and shadow. By pressing the "cool" button, ambient lighting dims, leaving only the ethereal glow of the landscape lights for a truly theatrical experience.
The house’s expansive glass windows, spanning 35 meters in length and three meters in height, blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, ensuring the landscaped surroundings are always part of the visual experience.
The ancient quarry is illuminated with a symphony of downlights, uplights, and reflectors, each with carefully selected color temperatures to enhance the natural hues of the stone. This meticulous lighting design accentuates the quarry’s details in a balanced rhythm of light and shadow, painting a vivid picture on the canvas of night.
In creating this house, Skira masterfully balanced depth, height, color, and form, crafting a living space that is both visually harmonious and dramatically compelling. This dwelling stands as a testament to the seamless integration of past and present, a home where history and modernity coexist in sublime harmony.
