Restoration of a luxury villa

“It is the superficial intellect that does not pay due reverence to antiquity.”

Erasmo da Rotterdam

Restoration based on study and research

Archiverde takes us to Sicily, a land rich in history and culture, a crossroads of peoples and distant traditions. And it was in a historic building that Archiverde was commissioned to carry out a restoration project to create a luxury Bed & Breakfast. The starting point is an aristocratic palace in Capo d’Orlando, which it was decided to revisit in accordance with the canons of bio-architecture and the requirements of the superintendency.

When carrying out a restoration of this magnitude, in fact, it is very important to maintain a correct attitude towards the ecosystem, as well as towards the laws protecting cultural heritage, of which the Italian territory is infinitely rich.

Archiverde’s interventions in this building have been manifold. First of all, we highlight the restoration of the outdoor garden, where an ancient citrus, symbol of Sicilian and Mediterranean vegetation, has been restored. However, it has been given a more contemporary slant by including new native species studied in collaboration with the University of Palermo.

Attention to detail for a contemporary garden

Not only architecture then, but also research and development of new ways of designing the environment. Archiverde also took care of the lighting, creating a welcoming and elegant atmosphere. The entrance driveway has also been upgraded, rediscovering a centuries-old wisteria.

A more informal part of the villa can be found at the front, where a more classical English garden has been created with Mediterranean plants and palm trees. To emphasise once again the focus on sustainability, a swimming pool was also built with a new natural and organic concept, using materials that have less impact on the environment.

The guiding principle behind this project was to build a link between past and present, enhancing what was already there, but making it attractive to the contemporary visitor.

Cesare Zacchetti