A remarkable brutalist villa has been unveiled in the Es Cubells region of southeastern Ibiza, where concrete architecture seamlessly merges with the natural landscape in an unexpected harmony. The project, designed by Visionnaire agency in collaboration with architect Antonio Baroncelli, transforms a rigorous sculptural concrete structure into a warm and welcoming interior space that captures the essence of Mediterranean living.
Spanning 1,200 square meters across multiple levels, the villa gracefully follows the natural slope of the terrain, offering breathtaking views of a double swimming pool while integrating perfectly between the sea, suspended gardens, and Mediterranean light. The architectural challenge centered on creating a harmonious dialogue between the building's strongly material, almost sculptural architecture and the more sensorial soul of the interiors.
Eleonore Cavalli, creative director of Visionnaire, explains the project's philosophy: "In a space that could seem austere, we chose furniture that tells a story of comfort, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Each piece was selected not only for its function but also for its ability to soften the structural rigor by introducing organic forms, natural materials, and sophisticated textures. Thus, the house becomes an intimate refuge, contemporary but profoundly human."
The villa was conceived from scratch, beginning with the careful selection of the terrain. The client, described as enlightened and trusting, provided a clear brief: to create a house where design, art, and nature could coexist in balance. The goal was not to impress but to move, with the only true limit being respect for the context - not to dominate the architecture or compete with the landscape, but to weave a coherent narrative where every element could find its place.
Architect Antonio Baroncelli drew inspiration from Mediterranean architectural archetypes, explaining: "To understand contemporary architecture, one must confront history and nature. In this villa, we wanted to revisit the great archetypes of the Mediterranean - the Greek theater, the Roman domus, the Arab garden - reformulated in a contemporary, minimalist language rich with meaning."
The brutalist envelope of exposed reinforced concrete evokes Mediterranean modernity while remaining firmly anchored in local architectural vocabulary. The interior and exterior coexist in total continuity, with the living room opening onto a 12-meter-long glass bay that disappears completely into the masonry, merging the living space with the landscape and the pool below, which then continues as a cascade toward a second body of water nestled in the garden.
The villa faces the sea but integrates discretely and respectfully into its surroundings. By exploiting the natural relief of the terrain and avoiding invasive earthworks, the architects created a multi-level house where each room has its own height and relationship with the landscape. The result is a fluid organism in constant dialogue between solids and voids, masses and transparencies.
Cavalli describes their approach to furnishing: "We accepted the landscape's invitation, letting ourselves be inspired by its changing light and mineral palette. The furniture was never conceived as isolated elements but as presences in dialogue with the exterior. Heights are contained, proportions calibrated, and materials - linen, leather, polished stone, wood - reflect the surrounding nature."
The design palette emerges from research into luminous essentiality: chalky whites, sand beiges, stone nuances, and natural accents. The team worked to convey a sensation of calm and openness, where each material could breathe and express its authenticity in dialogue with an organicity deeply integrated into the territory.
Beyond style, the project carries a subtle philosophical tension. The cosmopolitan client, an admirer of Rudolf Steiner's philosophy, wanted architecture that also considered the spiritual dimension of life, lunar phases, and cosmological harmony. Baroncelli reveals: "The plan is inspired by the owner's zodiacal sign, Cancer. The curved form, the two wings extending like pincers, and the infinity symbol are all elements we integrated into the plan. It's a Steinerian house in the most profound and least didactic sense of the term."
The residence reflects the very essence of the island: wild yet sophisticated, spiritual yet earthly, rigorous yet sensual. It stands as an intimate and monumental refuge where every detail - from the texture of a carpet to the proportion of a window - contributes to constructing a vision of natural and timeless beauty, creating a space for endless vacations in perfect harmony with Ibiza's unique character.
