The name of the villa is inspired by a phrase from the Cantonese language: “a tree and a house”, symbolizing the balance between nature and human beings. The luxurious mansion by Studia 54 invites you to savor every moment spent on the edge of the earth and inhale the clean sea air with your full chest.
The villa closely fits the landscape of a steep cliff where the client's 2.5 hectare plot of land is nestled. The building itself covers an area of 2800 m² and includes 8 bedrooms, with plenty of space for all the guests.
Studia 54 is frequently challenged with working in elevation changes, and this project was no exception. Our client is a huge admirer of natural beauty, so we integrated the house seamlessly into the terrain and opted out of leveling the ground.
We designed a private road, allowing to make the driveway to the villa picturesque yet totally private. It turned out to be a serpentine with a sea view, resembling a scene from a Hollywood movie.
Let's embark on our journey through the villa from the public area. The house has a harmonious combination of different types of space: a secluded family area, intended only for the owners, and spacious rooms designed to host large companies.
The spacious recreation leisure zone makes you literally hold your breath while contemplating the luxurious landscape.
On a nice, warm sunny day, guests are welcome to relax on the cream-colored travertine sun loungers that actually float above the water surface. The bottom is covered with gold-embossed tiles, custom-made for the project of the Shuimu Villa.
We have thought out a walking route for guests and residents to get to the right part of the house in no time. The path to the loungers is also made of travertine and serves as a link between the terrace and the pool area.
Leisure area with exquisite loungers
The spacious terrace provides protection from the sun in the heat of the day, whilst also offering a spectacular view of the surrounding nature.
The center of the terrace features a soft sofa group with coffee tables for serene relaxation. The accent chandelier by Niamh Barry, a complexly shaped bronze piece inspired by natural stones, seamlessly complements the color concept of the terrace.
The French labyrinth garden reflects the client's passion for contemporary art. The enigmatic faces made of polyester resin and aluminum powder are the work of sculptor Samuel Salcedo and can be admired in the gardens of Etretat in northern France. “Les Gouttes de pluie”, as the sculptures of faces are called, reflect the synthesis of a variety of human emotions, so a walk through the labyrinth turns into a self-discovery journey on the way to inner harmony.
Light and neutral tones dominate the design of the Shuimu Villa. These colors help to reflect sunlight, preventing the overheating of the building and creating a comfortable home environment.
We used 2 kinds of marble and travertine as the main materials in the project -- these are the noble stones, often used in the southern projects. We revealed their beauty through the interplay of textures and shapes in the facade of the building, and also diluted the light color palette with dark inserts, resulting in a restrained and monumental look with graphic forms.
The hearth area extended beyond the terrace
The “infinity” pool is located on the edge of the cliff, thus creating an effect of total immersion in the environment. A hearth area with a cushioned sofa group in the center of the pool provides the opportunity to enjoy food and drinks while remaining in the refreshing embrace of the water.
The pool partition is made of tinted glass, offering stunning views without compromising the privacy that was of utmost importance to the client.
In the architectural project of the luxurious Shuimu villa, we conveyed our client's personal values and created a multifunctional residence that is perfect for receptions, permanent living, or seasonal vacations with the family. The villa blends harmoniously into the surrounding landscape and is filled with an atmosphere of privacy and freedom. Studia 54 has brought to life an interpretation of the southern villa by the sea, reflecting our unique style that attracts clients from all over the world.