Located in Talamanca on the west coast of Ibiza, Villa Silencio marks a significant evolution in Blakstad’s architectural approach. Set on an urban plot, this multi-level home redefines the relationship between built form and its environment, departing from the sprawling, single-storey homes often associated with Ibiza. Making full use of its urban zoning, the spatial composition allows for tiered terraces, layered views and a dynamic play of light and shadow throughout the interiors.
This layering of spaces is complemented by Blakstad’s signature approach to dissolving boundaries between interior and exterior, creating a home that breathes with its surroundings. Each terrace is conceived as an extension of the living spaces, carefully framed to maximise natural light, ventilation and views. The transition between inside and out is seamless, allowing the architecture to respond fluidly to the shifting light throughout the day.
Client preferences introduced subtle departures from our typical material choices, bringing a fresh perspective while maintaining the studio’s design ethos. The use of travertine flooring rather than the usual limestone lends a subtle textural depth while complementing the natural, earthy palette. The integration of warm woods and neutral tones allows the villa to feel grounded, with the interplay of materials reflecting the island’s landscape and traditions. The absence of traditional whitewashed walls allows the natural beauty of stone and wood to define the spaces, emphasising a raw elegance that feels both contemporary and timeless. This material honesty is a key aspect of Blakstad’s philosophy, celebrating forms that feel inherent to the landscape rather than imposed upon it.
Beyond aesthetic considerations, these material choices also serve functional roles, particularly in the outdoor spaces where architectural elements contribute to passive cooling and shading. Overhangs, pergolas and climbing greenery soften the verticality of the structure while providing natural shading, a technique deeply embedded in vernacular Mediterranean design. The outdoor spaces are not merely for leisure – they act as crucial design elements that enhance both comfort and sustainability.
This commitment to seamless design extends beyond flow and materials to the overall functionality of the home. A screening room, club and fully equipped gym are integrated within the villa’s footprint instead of being standalone features. Rather than being treated as afterthoughts, these spaces are effortlessly woven into the overall composition, ensuring they contribute to the architectural narrative and as a consequence, reinforce the holistic nature of the design.
Villa Silencio is just one of the Blakstad projects that challenges the firm’s intrinsic style and conventions. In a region where sprawling plots often dictate a horizontal form, this vertical approach offers a compelling counterpoint, demonstrating that density and openness can coexist harmoniously. Its carefully orchestrated mass, materiality and sensitivity to its surroundings continue Blakstad’s legacy of respecting Ibiza’s architectural heritage while pushing it forward in meaningful ways. This home is not simply a reinterpretation but an exploration, a study in how tradition can evolve without being lost and how architecture can remain rooted in its context while responding to the needs of contemporary living.
