- Project: Faro di Capofaro
- Architect: MAB Arquitectura
- Location: Italy, Salina, Sicily
- Year: 2023
- Area: 1920 m2
- Photography: Alberto Moncada, Benedetto Tarantino
Faro di Capofaro by MAB Arquitectura is a restoration and hospitality project that reimagines the historic lighthouse complex on Salina, one of Sicily’s Aeolian Islands. By blending traditional craftsmanship, local materials, and minimalist elegance, the architects transformed abandoned keeper’s quarters into six refined suites, extending the prestigious Capofaro Locanda & Malvasia estate while safeguarding a unique cultural and natural heritage.
Project Overview
The project sits on a dramatic promontory overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Once a working lighthouse built in the late 19th century, the complex had long since fallen into disuse. MAB Arquitectura was tasked with restoring its spaces while adapting them for contemporary hospitality.
The intervention created six suites of varying sizes, ranging from 30 to 80 square meters, each with private entrances and gardens. The largest suite spans two levels and features a panoramic terrace with views across the sea, vineyards, and volcanic landscapes. The project exemplifies how historic structures can be regenerated into high-end hospitality destinations without compromising their authenticity.
Design Concept: Less Is More
The guiding principle of the interiors was the philosophy of “less is more.” Architects Floriana Marotta and Massimo Basile pursued a design strategy rooted in understatement, ensuring the architecture honored its location and history rather than overwhelming it.
Barrel-vaulted ceilings and the original spiral staircase to the lantern were preserved. Interiors embrace the sober functionality of Aeolian tradition, with custom-made furniture, natural finishes, and earthy tones inspired by the surrounding landscape.
Warm hues of sand, beige, and brown are paired with deep blues, recalling both soil and sea. Materials include microcement floors, lime-plastered walls, limestone washbasins, handcrafted cement tiles, and timber furnishings. Together, these elements create a refined but unpretentious atmosphere of luxury.
Interiors: Suites of Understated Elegance
Each suite is designed as a private retreat. Their modest scale enhances a sense of intimacy, while private gardens and discreet entrances provide seclusion. The largest suite, at the center of the complex, is a two-level residence with dual aspect windows and a terrace offering sweeping views of the vineyards and the Mediterranean horizon.
Minimalist furniture, tactile finishes, and natural materials ground the spaces in Sicilian tradition. Fabrics and furnishings reflect local craftsmanship, while careful detailing ensures that every element contributes to the overall atmosphere of calm and slow living.
Restoration of the Lighthouse Complex
The exterior works were guided by a philological approach that sought to preserve as much of the original structure as possible. Structural vaults were consolidated, salt-worn tufa blocks were restored, and cornices and sills were repaired. The façade was replastered with traditional lime, reinforcing the Aeolian architectural identity.
The lighthouse itself remains active, slightly detached from the main estate, continuing to guide sailors while now serving as an emblem of cultural heritage and hospitality.
Landscape & Outdoor Experience
The project also revitalized the surrounding landscape. Dry stone walls and volcanic gravel paths weave between gardens planted with Mediterranean flora, creating a sensory journey for guests. Capers, lavender, broom, strawberry trees, rosemary, agave, and bougainvillea form part of a living botanical museum that celebrates the island’s biodiversity.
Shaded areas, bamboo dividers, and intimate garden pockets allow guests to immerse themselves in the natural environment while maintaining privacy. This careful integration of landscape design elevates the hospitality experience, connecting architecture, culture, and nature.
Cultural Heritage & Innovation
Faro di Capofaro is not just a luxury retreat—it is also a cultural project. A small adjacent building was repurposed into the Micro Museum of Malvasia, a multimedia exhibition space dedicated to the island’s winemaking history and its relationship with the territory.
The restoration also aligns with Valore Paese Italia Fari, a national initiative aimed at regenerating Italy’s lighthouses by granting concessions for adaptive reuse. By doing so, the project ensures preservation while promoting sustainable tourism and supporting the local economy.
Faro di Capofaro by MAB Arquitectura demonstrates how contemporary hospitality can coexist with historic preservation. Through its restrained design, use of local materials, and deep respect for cultural memory, the project creates a refined sanctuary rooted in the unique identity of Salina. It is an architectural narrative of continuity—linking past and present, nature and architecture, tradition and innovation.
