Design: Architecture - Casa Malaparte, Capri

As infamous for its architect as for its form, Casa Malaparte stands as an enigmmatic architectural masterpiee. Casa Malaparte is not only known for its architectural grandeaur, but for the legacy left by its late illusive owner and designer, Curzio Malaparte. In fact, many see Malaparte as the writers greatest materpiece, even surpassing his writing.

The striated lines of the house conflict with the organic form of the cliffside its preched on. It continutes to be a symbol of Capri, with its distinct flow and shape battling th erratic and unforgiving nature of its surroundings its low squat profile, flaking stucco and rusting barred windows making it look like an abandoned bunker from WWII Could be German. It stands as  a bastion of almost meglomanic supremacy, but inspite of all that, it is none the less beautiful. The building in itself is relatively unkept. the rectilinear modernism of the actual building acting as support for the 32 steps that fan upwards to the flat roof like an inverted pyramid, creating an open platform theatre. No walls, no railings, no parapets... nothing impedes the view or the communion, creating the perfect scene for cinema. the creation of the house remins a contention, along with its infamous owener, Curzio Malaparte. it has been said that Malaparte himself was determined to own a house in the gulf in Naples, but settled for Capri based on the elements it possesed: love and lonliness. Like its owner, Malaparte challenges the wild beauty of the Capri Hillside but stands with primordial strength.

Made legendary by Jean luc Godards "Le Mepris", one famous scene in particular stands out from the film where a naked Bridgette Bardot sunbathes naked whilst her husband watches her, filled with contempt for her, faulting her beauty to which he cannot resist. The house almost parallels the beauty of Bardot, the setting of the film almost requires the dramatic untouched terrace to fulfill its  storyline. It has been debated that the house was designed  not by Malaparte, but by rationalist architect, Adalberto Libera. One thing can be said for sure though, Malaparte is not a place that would spark anything less than indifference.

Le Mepris

Bardot sunbathing on Casa Malaparte's rooftop.

Casa Malaparte in Le Mepris