By: Brianne Papendick

Casa Malaparte is located on the eastern side of the Isle of Capri, Italy. The villa is embedded into the rocky summit of Punta Massullo and sits approximately 32 feet above sea level. This unique piece of architecture overlooks a breathtaking panorama of the Gulf of Salerno and is located in the most solitary and dramatic part of Capri. In fact, it can only be reached from the sea or by an hour walk along a narrow footpath. Curzio Malaparte, the owner and designer of Casa Malaparte, bragged that it was, “a place meant for strong men, free spirits” and that he was “the first to build in the midst of nature”. The house itself, a red rectangular box with reverse pyramidal stairs, is strikingly simple in plan. What makes Casa Malaparte truly unique is its complete immersion in its beautiful and rugged landscape.

Casa Malaparte

Below: Plan of the North West Elevation of Casa Below: Plan of the North West Elevation of Casa MalaparteMalaparte

Right: Hybrid drawing of Longitudinal SectionRight: Hybrid drawing of Longitudinal Section

One of the most distinguishable features of Casa Malaparte is the wedge-shaped staircase to the roof that extends for about one third of the entire structure. The gradual slope of the staircase and the linearity of the building seem to echo the linearity of the site with its gradual ups and downs, while also giving the structure its unique silhouette. This staircase not only serves to unify the building into a single, streamlined whole, but also provides access to the rooftop terrace. The rooftop, another unique feature of this seaside Villa, was meant for sunbathing. This rooftop patio is adorned by a freestanding curved white wall that stretches to-ward the sea. Its primary function is to provide shade and privacy to sunbathers at Casa Malaparte.

Above: Reverse Pyramidal stairs leading Above: Reverse Pyramidal stairs leading to rooftop terraceto rooftop terrace

Above: Rendering of exterior North West Above: Rendering of exterior North West Elevation of Casa MalaparteElevation of Casa Malaparte

Below: Rooftop terrace Below: Rooftop terrace

Below: V-ray rendering of casa malaparte

this image depicts casa malaparte overlooking the

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Above: Ground Floor PlanAbove: Ground Floor PlanThe Ground Floor occupies about half The Ground Floor occupies about half

the area of the fi rst fl oor.the area of the fi rst fl oor.

Above: Upper Floor PlanAbove: Upper Floor PlanCasa Malaparte is embedded in the rocky summit of Casa Malaparte is embedded in the rocky summit of Punta Massullo. Only the fi rst fl oor has rooms Punta Massullo. Only the fi rst fl oor has rooms stretching across the entire length of the structure.stretching across the entire length of the structure.

Above: Basement Floor PlanAbove: Basement Floor PlanThe basement is embedded entirely into the The basement is embedded entirely into the

summit of Punta Massullo.summit of Punta Massullo.

Like the cliff on which it sits, Casa Malaparte is a massive structure. The building is approximately 92 feet long and 22 feet wide. It sits primarily on two floors, with the ground floor occupying exactly half the area of the upper floor. A small basement sits below the ground floor and occupies about one third of the area of the upper floor . Casa Malaparte is made entirely out of brick, so its exterior walls are about 6 feet thick in order to support the immense weight of the structure. Despite the Villa’s monumental size, its interior is strikingly simple. The rough stone floors, large plate glass windows, and large sparsely furnished rooms reinforce the impression of an outdoor public space. The structure truly celebrates the landsceape, rather than the architecture itself.structure truly celebrates the landsceape, rather than the architecture itself.

It has been said that Casa Malaparte both dominates and engages its natural surround-ings. The Villa’s massive windows help to highlight the structures closeness with nature. In the central hall, a massive room of 26 x 50 feet, four enormous plate glass windows are set into the walls. The windows mirror each other, creating an impression of double symmetry and allow viewers to feel that they are surrounded by nature. The windows have no casings, and their smooth curved moldings frame spectacular vews of the landscape.

The highlight of views is the back wall of the The highlight of views is the back wall of the central hall. A window made of fi reproof glass central hall. A window made of fi reproof glass sits behind fi replace and provides a magnifi cent sits behind fi replace and provides a magnifi cent view of the Gulf of Salerno through the fl amesview of the Gulf of Salerno through the fl ames

Above: Interior View of Fireplace WindowAbove: Interior View of Fireplace Window

Above: Veiw of Central HallAbove: Veiw of Central Hall

Below: V-ray rendering of central hallBelow: V-ray rendering of central hall