Casa Capriccio Alto

Metamorphosis of a concrete ruin: Casa Capriccio Alto is the third work of art by architect Cherubino Gambardella, which gives new life to a derelict building on a hill near the medieval town of Itri and perpetuates its history. Amidst old olive, fig and lemon trees above the Gulf of Gaeta, surrounded by green-covered mountains and with opulent views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the holiday home is the latest element after its two predecessors – Villa Due Pini and Villa Capri – of a village resurrected from cemento armato, whose style Gambardella defines as “Mediterranean architecture”. All three houses are based on an unfinished concrete skeleton, each finding its own contemporary interpretation of the Mediterranean.

Fulminant play of colours: A white counterpart rises above the plinth clad in shiny red Pompeian tiles. A modern and cheerful summer setting in the midst of the pastoral cultural landscape. To leave the latter largely untouched, the gable roof was transformed into a large sun terrace with pool.

Inside, the original concrete skeleton becomes the obvious stylistic element, with the generous kitchen and living space opening up between it. In contrast, the three double bedrooms were designed as a house-within-a-house, spanned by bright green to cream-coloured vaults, which lends the rooms seclusion. Colour is the general principle – from lime to pine to olive and lemon, bright red dominates outside. In contrast to the light sand-coloured terrazzo floor and the white walls, a fresh and light-footed atmosphere unfolds throughout the entire house, all the way up to the large roof terrace. It plays the leading role in the middle of the natural scenery. An open-air space with a fantastic view, protected from the sun by three semicircular pergolas made of reeds. At night, the terrace becomes an impressive observatory of the starry sky.

What to do

Dolce vita, swimming in the pool, relaxing on the terrace, swimming in the sea, surfing, sailing or nightlife on the beaches of Gaeta and Sperlonga, both about 15 minutes away, hiking and climbing in the nearby Aurunci mountains, guided cave tours, wine tasting and olive picking, excursions to the islands of Ponza and Ventotene or to Capri, Ischia, Pompeii and Amalfi, Rome and Naples are also only an hour's drive away.

Why we like this house

A captivating house with a fresh play of colours and unconventional shapes, full of grace and lightness. La grande bellezza!

This house is great for

Friends and families

Sustainability

Energy generation via photovoltaics, good insulation, water cistern, preservation of dry stone walls, e-charging station

Details

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