In an imposing position on a wide-open hillside near Itri, a small town between Rome and Naples, stands a white Acropolis-like building overlooking the bay of Sperlonga and the city of Gaeta: the Villa Capri. The house was built around an abandoned steel concrete skeleton. The architects Cherubino Gambardella and Simona Ottieri, who specialize in re-designing abandoned concrete structures, transformed this former ruin into a holiday home in the style of Mediterranean classicism. The austere architecture is contrasted by the window frames of blue and white ceramic tiles, a nod to the works of Gio Ponti and Ettore Sottsass. The building also features a playful arrangement of irregularly arranged columns and bamboo pergolas. These white columns are in fact gigantic PVC flower pots for bougainvilleas.
The 250 sqm house has three levels. It consists of a main house with four bedrooms and a pool house with two bedrooms, which can be accessed from the main house and separately. The 88 sqm living area, with an open kitchen in the main house, opens to a large terrace with sweeping views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The interiors reflect the blue tones of the ceramic tiles of the window frames. The rooms, whose interior design is kept simple, have individually designed suspended ceilings -–with curves or corners, and sometimes the concrete structure of the building itself is visible. The house has various external areas: the main bedroom on the upper floor has a private 77 sqm terrace, and besides the terrace on the ground floor there is a front yard leading from the kitchen, with an old oak and citrus trees. The pool is surrounded by a huge sun terrace.
Also read our HomeStory.
What to do
The beach, a pool, mountains, hiking, private cook on request, guided tours of the olive grove, boat trips, guided cave tours, classical architecture (old buildings near the Via Appia), the Mediterranean architecture of modernity. Shops, restaurants, bars and the Via Appia are only 5 minutes away. Capri, Ischia, Pompeii, Amalfi are not far away. There is a good train connections to Rome and Naples.
Why we like this house
Villa Capri is a fantastic example of the use of existing resources. We like the many details that add playfulness to the classical architecture.
This house is great for
Families, holidays with friends, family meetings, shootings
Details
| Region |
IT – Italy, Lazio, Itri Lazio |
| Name | Villa Capri |
| Scenery | high on a hillside, with a wide views, surrounded by olive trees |
| Number of guests | Max. 12 people |
| Completed | 2017 |
| Design | Architecture: Cherubino Gambardella, Naples; Interior design: Simona Otieri, Naples; Landscape architecture: Ohnes und Schwahn, Munich |
| Published | AD Germany 4/2018, Abitare 12/2016 |
| Architecture | Modern |
| Accomodation | Holiday home |
| Criteria | 8+ (house/apartment), Beach, Dog-friendly, Family, Garden, Hiking, Mountains, Pool, Sea |
| Same Partners | Casa Capriccio Alto, Villa Due Pini |
| Same Architects | Casa Capriccio Alto, Villa Due Pini |
| Registration | CIN: IT059010C2FY7R7QGS |
Availability calendar
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6 Comments
I was eager to see this beautiful house for myself having vicariously followed its progress from afar. To enjoy the extraordinary privilege of a one week stay at Villa Capri was a dream and the house surpassed all expectations. The attention to detail both inside and out is a joy and I felt like I was discovering something new each day. The generosity of the exterior spaces are glamorous in the extreme, outstanding views in all directions, Vesuvius in the distance over azure waters, elegant rails and chimney stack reminiscent of 30’s ocean liners, terraces that constantly invite you to all corners from which to view the house and its surrounds from new angles. The interiors provide deep comfort, great beds and linens, fantastic kitchen and exquisitely curated furniture. It’s not an understatement to say this house is an inspirational place in every way, an exceptional holiday destination to share with family and friends.
This is simply one of the most exquisite villas found in a region of pastoral beauty, history and tranquillity. Positioned perfectly on a hill, south east facing, to command views to the bay of Gaeta and beyond, the clean lines, innovative spaces and deceptive simplicity of the house create an atmosphere of calm elegance. The three levels combine the perfect platforms for total privacy or lively socialising, and no detail is a mere casual provision, but instead a thoughtful, aesthetically curated delight.
The architect has built around a pre-existing earthquake proof structure that was never completed, and the imagination to make the best and most interesting use out of these spaces is hugely inspiring.
This house can effortlessly absorb a big party of people of different ages and interests and the only negative is that its comforts and delights are so beguiling that it makes it hard to leave to travel to the wonderful sights, beaches, restaurants and antiquities that abound in the area. Hugely and enthusiastically recommended.
We spent a week at Villa Capri as a group of 3 adults and 4 children. The villa’s architecture, amazing views of the Bay of Naples, the surrounding nature, and the fact that the owners seem to have thought about every need you could possibly have on holiday make it hard to leave and explore the local area. One of our favourite activities as a group was having aperitivos on the top terrace before dinner…
We spent 1 week with 2 families (4 adults 4 teenagers) at Villa Capri.
The House is great, fully air conditioned if you need it, many terraces, great pool, wonderful view. The house is high standard.
But the best …. normally all vacation homes have bad knives for cooking. Villa Capri has a great Kitchen incl. high standard equipment with German made WMF knives for people who love to cook! Good (high quality food) stores for Italian food fish/ham/pasta in Itri supports the ambitious cook!
The distance to the beautiful old village of Sperlonga (nice beaches) is about 20 minutes and a beautiful drive.
All in all … STYLISH, BIG, QUIET, NICE and EASY!
We really enjoyed this beautiful house. We were two families arriving in the evening. Woke up in the morning to a amazing view. The house got everything you need to enjoy a relaxing holiday. Itri is a small and charming city. They even got a takeaway pizza restaurant.
The location is perfect both for relaxing and as a base for trips in the area. We went to Sperlonga, 300 steps and Amalfi.
For us the house and location were a perfect match😇
Der collage-artige umgang mit moderen elementen: wunderbar! Geschmacksanregend. Leben-anregend.
wolfgang meisenheimer.