San Pietro Villa by Maden Group, A Tranquil Dialogue Between Nature and Architecture in Albania
Architecture Design of San Pietro Villa
Description About The Project
Discover San Pietro Villa by Maden Group in Gjiri i Lalezit, Albania—a serene coastal retreat where raw materials, light, and landscape converge in a contemporary architectural symphony.
The Project “San Pietro Villa” Information:
- Project Name: San Pietro Villa
- Location: Gjiri i Lalezit, Albania
- Project Year: 2023
- Built area: 633.93 m²
- Designed by: Maden Group
Rooted in the Earth, Open to the Sea
Set against the rugged shoreline of Gjiri i Lalezit, Albania, San Pietro Villa by Maden Group is not merely a residence—it’s a profound conversation between architecture and nature. Rising gently from the coastal terrain, this tranquil retreat dissolves the boundaries between constructed form and organic landscape, offering a space of retreat, stillness, and deep elemental connection.
“Our intent was to design a villa that feels as though it grew out of the land itself,” said the principal architect at Maden Group in an interview with Luxury Houses Magazine. “This house had to breathe the same air as the trees, absorb the same light as the stones, and move with the rhythm of the sea.”
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Materials That Echo the Landscape
From the first glance, San Pietro Villa presents a grounded yet graceful presence. Walls clad in locally sourced stone blur with the earth, while wide terraces and low rooflines follow the contours of the land. The villa’s use of natural textures—stone, wood, and sand-hued plaster—forms a palette that echoes the colors of Albania’s coastal cliffs and beaches.
“Stone was not just a finish—it was a statement,” the design team explained. “It roots the villa, physically and emotionally, to its place of origin.”
Inside, minimalist volumes allow the landscape to remain central. Sunlight pours in through expansive windows and skylights, dancing across muted surfaces that absorb rather than reflect. Every material is chosen for its sensory honesty—materials that weather beautifully, age with dignity, and invite touch.
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A Fluid Connection Between Interior and Exterior
The spatial layout of San Pietro Villa is designed to encourage a seamless flow between indoors and out. Open-plan interiors lead to shaded terraces, reflective pools, and garden paths, making the entire house feel like an extension of the natural surroundings. In this space, nature is not framed—it is embraced.
“The house was meant to disappear as much as it was meant to appear,” the architects noted. “We wanted residents to feel like they were living in the landscape—not just looking at it.”
Each room is oriented to capture light and view: the living areas face the sea, while bedrooms open onto private garden pockets filled with native vegetation. Even the smallest details—such as the placement of a window or the curve of a wall—are informed by the site’s rhythms.
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A Shelter of Stillness and Sanctuary
Though grounded in contemporary minimalism, San Pietro Villa is emotionally rich. The architecture fosters a sense of warmth and mindfulness, inviting residents to slow down and reconnect—with nature, with time, and with themselves.
“Architecture should not only protect you—it should center you,” remarked the lead designer. “This home is designed to soften the senses, to offer a restorative balance between shelter and openness.”
The villa’s minimalist interiors—accented by artisanal furnishings and raw finishes—underscore the ethos of intentional living. There’s no excess here, only clarity, simplicity, and soul.
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A Testament to Site-Specific Design
At its core, San Pietro Villa by Maden Group is a masterclass in site-sensitive architecture—a refined structure that celebrates its place without overshadowing it. Through its raw material palette, serene volumes, and fluid transitions between inside and out, the house offers a new model for coastal contemporary living in Albania.
For more inspiring stories where architecture embraces land, light, and life, visit Luxury Houses Magazine.
Photo credit: | Source: Maden Group
For more information about this project; please contact the Architecture firm :
– Add: Jashar Salihu, Kulla Muhaxhereve, 14-th floor, #77, Prishtina
– Tel: +383 45 621 621
– Email: info@madengroup.com
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