Dwelling the Cave, the Island, and the World. A Grounding Experience in Filicudi

Abstract: This article investigates an experience of radical dwelling: that of Gisbert, a former German merchant marine officer who, since 1970, has chosen to inhabit a cave on the island of Filicudi. In stark contrast to the initial demographic decline and subsequent tourist gentrification of these islands, his settlement emerges as a profound engagement with the local context and a measured act of archaeological recovery.

Through manual subtractive excavation and the restoration of a pre-existing cistern, the rocky space was transformed into an infrastructure-free home based on bioclimatic design principles. Thermal comfort is achieved through the immense thermal inertia of the rock, while hygiene and brightness are ensured by the rigorous application of white lime mortar.

Far from a misanthropic retreat, this architectural practice functions as an act of resistance against global homogenization and a defense of fragile cultural landscapes. Gisbert emerges as a dedicated custodian of vernacular architecture, preserving traditional Aeolian construction techniques, such as volcanic stone masonry and breathable local plasters.

The research demonstrates how the renunciation of technological dependency and hyper-consumption does not lead to isolation. By emancipating himself from the metropolitan technical apparatus, Gisbert re-establishes a tangible connection with material culture and opens up a space for contemplation and creativity. Ultimately, he acts as a cosmopolitan node and a cultural mediator for the island community, actively embodying the utopias of Italian Radical Architecture. His dwelling in the cave proves that a physical reappropriation of space and vernacular practices can root the individual, offering a concrete response to the dematerialization of our era.

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