SARDINIAN LAND, CABRAS

The Sinis Peninsula, located on the western coast of Sardinia, is a complex environmental and territorial system rich in both natural and cultural landmarks.
Its unique morphological conformation, defined by the Sinis isthmus, ensures that there is always a safe harbor for boats. This particular feature, combined with its central position in the Mediterranean Sea, has made the Sinis one of the most sought-after territories for ancient Mediterranean civilizations, both foreign and local.

Throughout the area, numerous archaeological sites can be found—ranging from prehistoric sites, with a high density of nuraghi, to Phoenician-Punic remains, culminating in the Archaeological Area of Tharros.

The morphology of the Sinis is further defined by a lagoon system and gentle hills, particularly well-suited to vine cultivation.

On the Su Pranu plateau, in the locality of Costa Randada, there is currently an agricultural estate just a few dozen meters from a nuragic site, with expansive views over the Sinis Peninsula. The estate spreads across the gentle contours of the hill, alternating between wild, uncultivated areas and large stretches of Mediterranean scrubland. The landscape is also marked by basalt rocks emerging from the ground, where vivid yellow-orange mosses and lichens contrast strikingly with the gray basalt.

The "Terra Sarda" project has the ambitious goal of creating a passive, bioclimatic, and native home, making full use of the territory’s rich resources, both material and cultural.

The villa’s concept is born from the relationship between the house and the vineyard—a clear, transparent connection built on balanced proportions and a deep respect for the natural and productive elements of the site.

The villa is laid out longitudinally, parallel to the vine rows, maintaining a very low profile that allows it to blend into the Mediterranean vegetation, minimizing visual impact. In keeping with rural tradition, the vines are oriented along the dominant wind axis, from northwest to southeast. The villa’s interior spaces are therefore configured along the heliothermal axis, encouraging the living area to open outward with views over the Sinis Peninsula, while the more private spaces face inward.

Access to the house is via a pathway sheltered by Mediterranean shrubs, where a small opening in the basalt wall offers a filtered, intimate welcome for guests.

The structure is defined by basalt masonry walls alternating with raw earth walls (ladiri), traditional in Sardinian vernacular construction. The roof, following Punic tradition, is flat and built with wooden structural elements and woven cane mats arranged orthogonally.

The living area features large glass openings shaded by reed brise-soleils, while the sleeping area is more secluded, accessed through a corridor between two basalt walls, with carefully placed openings.

The house is organized around two courtyards: a small open entry courtyard, and a larger central courtyard directly connected to the kitchen and service areas. The latter serves as a protected space for family life and privacy.

The “Terra Sarda” villa integrates traditional Mediterranean construction systems with modern technologies, such as controlled mechanical ventilation, rainwater harvesting, and solar energy capture through photovoltaic and solar thermal panels.

This blend of tradition and innovation is also reflected in the composition and typology, expressing a rationalist architectural DNA influenced by the ancient vernacular culture of the Sinis.

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