Federica Gosio's shell-shaped white villa above Porto Rafael, Sardinia

Designer Federica Gosio calls this house on Sardinia's northern coast "an arch over the sea", and from the photographs it does look like a white shell washed up above the bay of Porto Rafael. She worked on it with the owner, Alessandra Radaelli, who wanted to honour the legacy of Rafael Neville, the founder of Porto Rafael, by letting the architecture sink into the landscape.

There are no straight lines to speak of. The edges have been deliberately softened so the house looks worn by the Mistral that sweeps the island in winter, and the pointed arch turns up everywhere: in doorways, hallways and a hand-brushed iron front door by Daniele Mingardo. Floors, and the sinks indoors and out, are in local Orosei marble with a bush-hammered finish and broken edges, while rattan, straw and pieces by the Sardinian practice Pretziada warm the white rooms.

Outside, terraces planted with junipers and native shrubs step down towards the water, past an infinity pool and an outdoor kitchen with its own marble sink. The bedrooms look over the pool to the sea.

This is a private home, so there is nothing to visit. It is a lovely read for anyone drawn to the Mediterranean done softly, in local stone and island craft.

Our summary of a story from Architectural Digest, published 30 October 2026. Read the original

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