The elegance of living in harmony with Sicily

In the countryside of Cittadella dei Maccari, near the Vendicari Nature Reserve, Casa Vigna embodies an intimate Mediterranean: one of enclosed courtyards, sun-warmed stone and rooms crossed by the breeze. Set within approximately 3.7 hectares of land, this residence interprets the landscape through an essential architecture capable of transforming light, shade and vegetation into elements of daily life.

Completed in 2008, the house was born from the meeting of the intimacy of an Arab riad and the memory of Sicilian rural homes. Outside, geometric volumes and pale surfaces create a discreet presence in the countryside. Beyond the walls, the residence reveals itself through a succession of courtyards, gardens and terraces, linked by passageways and vistas that invite discovery.

Citrus trees accompany the morning awakening, shade offers shelter during the hottest hours, and raised terraces open the view across the countryside, reaching a glimpse of the sea. Approximately 84 m² of covered verandas and 235 m² of open terraces create a domestic landscape to be enjoyed with the seasons: an al fresco breakfast, an afternoon of reading, a dinner that extends into the evening.

Modica stone marks the transition between indoors and outdoors, creating a material continuity that connects the house to its land. In the kitchen, Etna lava stone introduces a darker, more intense note; Corten steel frames (Sacco) add depth and character to the luminous surfaces. Each material contributes to a measured elegance, whose quality can be recognised through touch, light and time.

The four bedrooms, distributed between the main building and an independent volume, allow family and guests to be accommodated while preserving everyone’s privacy. Five bathrooms, two outdoor showers and a living room with fireplace complete a house designed to alternate conviviality and seclusion.

Sustainability was part of the original design. The orientation, wall insulation, openings arranged to encourage cross-ventilation and solar-control low-emissivity glazing all contribute to the comfort of the interiors. This climate-conscious design made it possible to use the house for many years without air conditioning, later supplemented by heat pumps for heating and cooling.

This architectural sensitivity is complemented by a 4.2 kW photovoltaic system with 5 kWh storage and a solar thermal system for hot water, supported by the boiler when necessary. The electric-vehicle wallbox regulates charging power according to household consumption and available energy. Water management is also organised through separate circuits for domestic use and irrigation, while a reverse-osmosis system serves the dedicated drinking-water tap in the kitchen.

Here, more conscious living takes shape through practical choices: making the most of solar energy, encouraging the natural movement of air, using materials connected to the local area and preserving the agricultural vocation of the surrounding land.

The location makes it possible to enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside while remaining close to the beaches of San Lorenzo, the entrances to Vendicari and Marzamemi. Noto, reachable in approximately twenty minutes, offers the pleasure of its walks, architecture and cultural life.