Set on the steep, terraced slopes of Lake Como, this project draws together vernacular references and contemporary design. The villa is conceived as a building that disappears into the hillside, its stone walls and terraced forms becoming part of the landscape while opening out to panoramic lake views.
1. Views
The orientation of the villa is guided by the lake. Openings are aligned to capture uninterrupted panoramic views, ensuring every principal space connects directly to the landscape.
2. Excavation
The building follows the natural slope of the site. Excavation is minimised to reduce costs and avoid unnecessary structural interventions, embedding the house gently within the hillside.
3. Boundary
The design respects the limits of the plot. The building footprint is carefully set within the site boundary, balancing the geometry of the new structure with the irregularity of the terrain.
The series of plans at different levels describe how the house is organised across the slope:
Ground level: entrance and service areas cut into the hill.
First floor (160 m²): main accommodation floor, with three guest bedrooms and a master suite. Each space opens out to a continuous terrace and framed lake views.
Upper levels: open-plan living areas unfold towards the landscape, combining kitchen, dining, and lounge in a panoramic setting.
Sections through the house illustrate its relationship with the hillside, stepping down across levels and embedding the structure into the rock face.
The terraces are landscaped with grass and planting, blurring the boundary between garden and architecture. Views open dramatically towards the lake, while the building remains modest in profile when seen from the village above.
The villa is expressed as a series of terraced stone walls, echoing the agricultural patterns of the region. Glass and slender frames form the upper living level, floating lightly above the solidity of the base.
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