Villa Bellini: seaside architecture and absolute resilience

On the salt-sprayed cliffs of the northern Gothenburg archipelago, with the sea as its closest neighbour, stands Villa Bellini, a single-family home designed to coexist uncompromisingly with the forces of nature. The project, built by Jonas Ekman of VK Pool & Bygg AB, adheres to a clear premise: to create a contemporary, coherent, and serene home that does not compete with the landscape but frames it.

Located on the front line and facing the ocean, the home opens to the outside through large windows that turn the sea into a year-round spectacle. The architecture favours minimalist lines and a restrained colour palette.

One of the key elements of the project is the façade, made with the ultra-compact surface DKTN in the colour Zenith. The choice of material was directly linked to the extreme conditions of the environment. “We needed a material that could withstand the harsh marine environment, as well as wind, humidity, and salt,” explains Jonas Ekman.

Beyond colour or texture, the decision was based on technical performance. “We chose DKTN for the large formats available and its superior technical properties compared to other materials,” notes the builder. Its colour stability, UV resistance, and performance against humidity make it an especially suitable solution for this type of coastal location. Additionally, DKTN contributes to the project's sustainability, being a Carbon Neutral product throughout its lifecycle. Cosentino also offers a 25-year warranty for this application.

The system used in this project for the installation of this ventilated façade is based on the DKR, but instead of installing the façade panels with rivets fixed to an aluminium substructure, screws fixed to a wooden batten substructure were applied in this project.

Before opting for DKTN, other common façade options, such as fibre cement, were evaluated but ultimately discarded. “Several neighbours have used it and now face issues with humidity and solar radiation. Our DKTN façade has not been affected at all; in fact, they now ask us about the material and say they wish they had known about it earlier,” adds Ekman.

The project also posed a significant architectural challenge. Before the intervention, the villa had a closed layout, with smaller windows and fragmented balconies full of angles and setbacks. The goal was to simplify the volume, making it more coherent and fluid, both from the outside and in the daily use of the home. “We had to completely rethink the house so that it would not overshadow the landscape and, at the same time, improve interior circulation and family life,” explains the builder.

Inside, the kitchen becomes another key point of the project. For the worktop, Sensa in the colour Siberia was chosen, a natural stone with a sober and elegant aesthetic that enhances the serene atmosphere of the home. Its light tone and natural texture add warmth without disrupting the overall neutrality.