Located on the tranquil eastern coast of Sentosa Island, Sentosa Cove, Singapore, the first and most exclusive marina residential community that offers tropical resort living, Villa Mistral faces the spectacular verdant fairways of the Tanjong golf course.
Project Name: Villa Mistral
Studio Name: Mercurio Design Lab S.r.l
The design intention was for the house to fit into the context of Sentosa Cove by referencing the sea and reflecting a lifestyle that gravitates nearby the marina area. The villa was to be iconic, must enhance the ambiance of the neighborhood, and observe Fengshui, the ancient philosophy associated with good fortune.
Named after the seasonal northwesterly wind that blows across the Mediterranean, Villa Mistral conjured up the image of a powerful boat driving through the water. Resembling a sleek yacht swathed in all white with a metallic tinge, it has a dynamic solidity. The structural elements, expressed both externally and internally, simultaneously reference a boat and communicate the sense of a forward thrust. The angular outward-leaning structural elements and similarly angled glazed walls replicate an experience inside and outside a vessel. Also, the combination of timber and concrete in a facade penetrated by windows of varying scales generates a rhythmic quality. Even the interiors of the house resemble that of a high-end motorboat.
The house is over four levels, including an entertainment room in the basement. Dining, dry kitchen, and living area on the entry, while the second level consists of bedrooms including the masters and a terrace overlooking the canal. The top floor features a spacious open concept of a living and dining lounge. Ideal for hosting parties, the attic lounge leads to a large roof terrace facing the spectacular view of Sentosa Cove. The jacuzzi is designed in the middle to cool down the tropical heat.
The Fengshui Master approved the design and the layout plan. Lead Designer Massimo Mercurio’s exploration of Buddhism in early life empowered him with a broad understanding of Chinese philosophy which harmonizes Architectural principles with Fengshui theories and made communication smoother.
Villa Mistral exemplifies the way Mercurio Design Lab pushes the envelope formally and structurally. It presents a unique aesthetic, a speedboat with a cabin and flying bridge in an attempt to break free from the rigid shape of a box-type structure. There is total integration with building design, interior architecture, decoration, furnishings, and artworks.
Ocean-inspired, the house blends with the surrounding, beginning outside, where the form and the landscaping complement to generate an integrated whole that extends to the interiors. With a harbor view of the water and a seaside theme and lifestyle that gravitates around the area, it displays an island character that makes it stand out among the pitched roof houses.
