Terrassenhaus II, front
Terrassenhaus II, back
THE BEAUTY OF THE WIDE OPEN SPACE Arno Brandlhuber's Terrassenhaus II on the north coast of Sicily will change your viewing habits and your attitude towards life.
* The built area comprises 183 m², including the covered veranda with a surface area of 42 m².
**The pool measures 68 m².
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For Sale
Terrassenhaus II sits on the slopes of Monte Sparagio, 1,111 metres above sea level. Arno describes the house in its exposed location as a "Sehapparat” (English: “viewing machine"). E vero. The view: total – with a large share of blue. The foreground stops at the edge of the swimming pool, beyond which you are left exposed to infinity. You lose balance and surrender to Sicilia dreamin with a sigh. The coastline with its Insta-worthy rock formations, the sea with its islands and its reflection - the sky. The mountainous landscape, the Riserva dello Zingaro nature reserve, the towns of Castellammare del Golfo and Scopello are delicate side dishes. Life in a state of permanent immediacy. The condition lingers. Even inside the house. Even when you close your eyes. It only leaves you, when you turn your back on the impressions in blue and ochre and sink into the P 110 armchair (1965) by Osvaldo Borsani. The view, fixed on infinity a moment ago, now crashes against the amorphous wall of red rock. Like the front façade, the mountain-side façade sports room-high windows with sliding doors.
Terrassenhaus II, features
01 Central idea: Sehapparat – a camera to live in. The device works perfectly well – I tested it myself: the eyes drink in infinity.
02 The carved mountain A deep cut into the slope allows the house to disappear into the ground towards the mountain – with a fully glazed rear façade: thermal insulation and light gain.
03 Type-support structure-construction allowing maximum freedom for interior design.
04 The power of two fronts Glass fronts with sliding doors facing the sea and the mountain.
05 Mono-volume Pool, terrace, house and walls form a single body. The connection between the pool and the house is accentuated by 40 cm high steps that form two platforms and are part of the furnishing.
06 Topographical entertainment From a distance, the hillside house resembles three cuts into the mountain, precise and minimalist like those of Lucio Fontana. Two horizontal "cuts" for the outer wall of the pool and the roof line. The diagonal "cut" is the wall of the driveway. The hanging pent roof conceals the terrace and the façade.
07 Understated appearance, reference to local building experience.
08 Floor plan and fixtures ready to play Two service triangles accommodate the bathroom, walk-in closet, kitchen storage space and appliances. At the same time, they separate the two sleeping areas from the rest of the spacious living and dining area. There are exits to the outside from all areas. The 40 cm difference in floor level, in the mountain-facing space with the highest ceiling, creates a stage, a seating area and a relaxation platform. The free-standing solid aluminium module for cooking, washing and preparing food is functional and aesthetically pleasing at once. All fixtures are custom-made and part of the architecture. Typical for Brandlhuber+: the house comes ready to play. The additional design objects are hand-picked and contribute formally and mentally to the feel of a less stressful era. Well curated, Arno. We also owned two P 110s once, and love Cini Boeri's furniture.
09 A supercool retreat, says Poeticwalls. In other words, an effortless house. One without a sense of mission. One that is nearly invisible.
A house that breathes infinity. One that also conveys comfort and brings happiness.
10 Technology ensures comfort Underfloor heating and cooling via an air-water heat pump; separate heat pump for the pool.
Sicily instead of Ticino, Alentejo, Tuscany, Mallorca, Provence!
Italy is not without its problems. Good news, that its southernmost part is doing so well in terms of infrastructure, security and administration. Italy and the EU have invested a lot in Sicily over the past 20 years. But Sicily is still not on the radar for second homes. That is currently changing. Italians are buying and relocating their holiday homes to the island. The inspiring environment of architecture, art, cuisine and living traditions are good reasons to choose Sicily: the ancient Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spaniards and French have all left their cultural and historical mark on Sicily. The wealth of unspoilt landscapes and fantastic cities is equally inspiring. Check season 2 of "White Lotus", the American HBO mini-series, which depicts Sicily as an entertainingly exaggerated place of longing.
Arno Brandlhuber
The architect made a name for himself with his studio Brandlhuber+ (now b+) in Berlin, with recycling and repurposing transformations of existing buildings. In addition to his idiosyncratic transformations, his repertoire includes new builds. Arno Brandlhuber is a professor at ETH Zurich.
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Sell to Poeticwalls
We buy conversion properties and building land at market prices. A showcase development is guaranteed.
