Can Lis, Mediterranean cliffside residence in Santanyí, Spain.
Can Lis is a Mediterranean cliffside house in Santanyí composed of interconnected pavilions built from local pink stone. The structure contains separate zones for cooking, living, and sleeping, with deeply recessed windows that frame views while shielding the interior from intense sunlight.
Danish architect Jørn Utzon designed and built Can Lis between 1971 and 1973, following his work on the Sydney Opera House. The project represented a shift in his practice toward creating private residences adapted to Mediterranean coastal conditions.
The residence demonstrates Mediterranean building traditions through its choice of local pink stone and the way rooms are arranged to respond to the coastal setting. The separate pavilions use natural materials and integrate with the surrounding landscape.
The residence sits on a platform overlooking the Mediterranean and is best reached on foot through the narrow lanes of Santanyí village. The deeply recessed windows provide shelter from sun and wind, so interior lighting can feel dim, though exterior views are exceptional.
The design features crescent moon shapes throughout, referencing the former street name Media Luna where the house was built. This subtle formal language runs through many rooms and details, showing Utzon's attention to local history and spatial poetry.
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