Terra and Vidru House: A Modern Mediterranean Interior Design Rooted in Sardinian Identity

Bridging Sardinian Tradition with Contemporary Urban Living

In the heart of Cagliari, Italy, Terra and Vidru House stands as a poetic expression of modern Mediterranean interior design, a thoughtful renovation where material honesty, regional identity, and spatial fluidity converge. Designed by Architecture for Humans in collaboration with Fabrizio Carboni and Enrico Manca, the project balances the private needs of a home with the functionality required for short-term rentals—all within a dense urban context.

Despite its metropolitan setting, the home is deeply rooted in the earthy textures and tones of Sardinia. From the reddish clay tones that echo Capoterra’s landscape to the handcrafted ash wood interiors, every choice evokes a connection to land, climate, and culture.

Transforming Space Through Light and Texture

One of the project’s greatest achievements lies in the transformation of a once rigid, fragmented layout into a fluid, light-filled interior. Rather than removing all boundaries, the team introduced glass block partitions, a clever solution that maintains privacy while allowing daylight to diffuse throughout the space.

This delicate transparency reestablishes a sense of openness without sacrificing the intimacy that defines a true home. Light, in this context, is not simply a function but a design element—used to shape experience, depth, and visual calm.

Breathing Walls: The Materiality of Place

Sustainability and well-being were key drivers of the design approach. All original walls were preserved and coated with breathable lime-based plaster, pigmented naturally to reflect the red earth of Poggio dei Pini. This material not only ensures better indoor air quality but visually anchors the home in its Sardinian environment.

The earthy palette is enriched by custom ash wood furniture, offering tactile warmth and functional clarity. The contrast between soft terracotta plaster and sleek wooden surfaces creates a visual dialogue—earth meeting craft, tradition meeting precision.

An Archetype Reimagined: The House as a Cave

The design draws upon the archetype of the cave—a timeless concept of shelter. With its sculptural walls, curved edges, and tactile finishes, the home evokes protection and solidity. Yet, this density is lightened by glass, openness, and spatial continuity, redefining the traditional Mediterranean home in a contemporary language.

The ceilings and walls, unified in tone and texture, eliminate visual clutter, further immersing occupants in a calm, grounded atmosphere. This fusion of primordial and modern creates a space that feels both timeless and distinctly personal.

A Living Manifesto of Mediterranean Philosophy

Terra and Vidru House is more than an apartment renovation—it is a built manifesto of a studio that views architecture as a dialogue between humanity and nature, between old and new. Though located within a city grid, the project speaks the language of Sardinian heritage through natural materials, local references, and poetic space-making.

The result is a modern Mediterranean interior design that is minimal yet expressive, practical yet emotional. It is a space that honors tradition while embracing the fluid, transparent needs of contemporary life.

All Photographs are works of Barbara Pau