villa orizzonte's white elongated volumes merge with italian pianura padana's landscape

UNICA Architects introduces a family residence, Villa Orizzonte

Italian studio UNICA Architects unveils Villa Orizzonte, an elongated single-family residence located in the picturesque Italian Pianura Padana. The building sits gracefully on the urban periphery of a small town, offering vistas of the river and seamlessly blending with its natural landscape. Designed to foster a profound connection with its environment, Villa Orizzonte pays homage to the footprint of a previously demolished two-story rural house. The emphasis on horizontal integration within the landscape is a distinctive feature of its design. The roof, conceived as the fifth facade, not only adds to the visual appeal but also functions as a practical space equipped with solar panels and skylights, maximizing energy efficiency.

the villa’s entrance | all images by © Mariela Apollonio

Two-Box Design Dynamically Interconnects the Villa’s Volumes

The architectural layout strategically divides the building into two functional boxes. The stone-clad first box accommodates service areas, a garage, and a small office, while the lighter second volume houses the kitchen, living room, three en-suite bedrooms, and a dining area. Expansive sliding glass doors encircle the latter, transforming the residence into a terrace seamlessly merging with the garden.

UNICA Architects embraces a perforated box concept, where openings act as intimate courtyards, creating domestic landscape sequences. Dynamic interconnected volumes and harmonizing materials achieve a seamless connection to surrounding vegetation. Interior spaces prioritize comfort, privacy, flexibility, and visual fluidity, enhanced by carefully selected Italian furniture pieces.

the villa’s south-facing elevation

A suspended marble-clad fireplace becomes the focal point, adding character to the living room and facilitating visual connections between various rooms and patios. The outdoor porch serves as a unifying element, linking communal areas, while the pool’s reflective surface mirrors the facade and the lush surroundings. The design’s fluidity is accentuated by embedded window frames, blurring the boundaries between the interior and the landscape beyond.

the villa’s south-facing elevation

the villa’s south-facing elevation and the swimming pool

views of the horizon

connection with the landscape

the villa’s entrance

the swimming pool and the outdoor area

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the master bedroom

view from the master bedroom

the living room

the suspended marble-clad fireplace

project info:

name: Villa Orizzonte
architect: UNICA Architects | @unicaarchitects

lead architects: Lorenzo Capucci – Riccardo Robustini

location: Ferrara, Italy

photography: Mariela Apollonio – Fotógrafa De Arquitectura | @fotografadearquitectura

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom