Bold transformation on a rugged coastline: a fisherman’s legacy carefully rebuilt into a contemporary Sicilian villa.
Nábito Architects reimagines a circa-1900 fishing hut as Villa Lava, tucked in Santa Tecla, near Acireale on Sicily’s eastern shore. The project fuses two houses into one cohesive residence: the old fisherman’s home stands on one end, meticulously restored while preserving its lava stone vaults and original character. A modern extension on the other end frames the sea, designed to blend with the coastal lava stone, native plants, and the vast Mediterranean horizon. One section faces inward, honoring Santa Tecla’s historic core; the other gazes outward, embracing expansive sea views with clean lines and generous openings that erase the line between indoors and outdoors.
The architects intentionally kept the lava stone vaults and other surfaces in their authentic state, celebrating texture over decoration. Exterior walls in rough stone meet azole plaster partitions, while lava vaults, raw metal elements, and stairways mingle with terracotta pots and micro-cement floors. Textures become a tactile dialogue linking past, place, and memory, all while respecting the surrounding environment. Subtle handcrafted details enhance the home's character, and Mediterranean flora reinforces its bond with the volcanic landscape. Original furnishings from the fisherman’s house are preserved, not as nostalgia, but as living traces that connect the revived home to its Sicilian roots.
Villa Lava embraces natural, locally sourced materials whenever possible: lava stone, lime-based plasters, raw metals, terracotta, and micro-cement. Construction drew on traditional craft, with close collaboration between the project team and Santa Tecla’s local workers. The endeavor became a knowledge exchange—learning from local artisans, honoring inherited techniques, and letting manual skill shape the final expression. Even the chosen original pieces from the former fisher’s home are kept as tangible memories embedded in the updated space. More than a residence, Villa Lava tells a story of contrast and harmony, embodying the Sicilian landscape, culture, and spirit. Designed to belong to the land rather than dominate it, the project stands as a reminder that coastal architecture should listen to nature, embrace impermanence, and be built with humility.
