david chipperfield references italy’s lemon cultivating architecture with villa eden
photography by david chipperfield architects

 

 

 

built as part of a luxury resort located on italy’s lake garda, this residential project is formed of two villas carefully embedded within the sloping terrain. designed by david chipperfield architects, the home seeks to retain the original atmosphere of the site characterized by grass covered terraces, olive groves and cypress trees.

david chipperfield villa eden lake garda gardone italy designboom
the scheme references ‘limonaie’ – distinctive pergola-like structures designed for the cultivation of lemons

 

 

 

the two volumes are divided into one or two storey buildings, that reinterpret the region’s ‘limonaie’ – distinctive pergola-like structures designed for the cultivation of lemons. each volume is framed by three solid exterior walls made of natural stone masonry and built up on a plinth of the same material. the main elevation facing the valley opens up towards the mediterranean landscape with full height windows offering sweeping views of lake garda.

david chipperfield villa eden lake garda gardone italy designboom
each volumes is framed by three solid exterior walls made of natural stone masonry

 

 

 

pergolas with slim columns are placed in front of the volumes, echoing the rhythm of the surrounding olive groves, and providing protection from the warm sun. the device also extends the interior into a protected outdoor space, which leads to further terraces with sunken pools.

david chipperfield villa eden lake garda gardone italy designboom
terraces include sunken pools

 

 

 

influenced by the region in which it sits, the materials used include stone sourced from local quarries that provides a direct contrast with the wooden pergolas and window frames. internally, auxiliary rooms are located at the rear of the plan, with the living and bedrooms are positioned at the front in order to provide panoramic vistas.

david chipperfield villa eden lake garda gardone italy designboom
the main elevation facing the valley opens up towards the mediterranean landscape

 

 

 

the two villas were constructed as part of the villa eden gardone project, a private luxury resort. the development comprises seven villas, a hotel and an apartment building designed by a host of renowned architectural practices including richard meier and matteo thun.

david chipperfield villa eden lake garda gardone italy designboom
the materials used include stone sourced from local quarries

david chipperfield villa eden lake garda gardone italy designboom
full height windows offer sweeping views of lake garda

david chipperfield villa eden lake garda gardone italy designboom
the two villas were constructed as part of the villa eden gardone project, a private luxury resort

 

drawings

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david chipperfield villa eden lake garda gardone italy designboom
 
david chipperfield villa eden lake garda gardone italy designboom
 
david chipperfield villa eden lake garda gardone italy designboom
 

 

project info:

 

project start: 2008
completion: 2015
gross floor area: 2,680 sqm / 28,847 sqf
client: villa eden gardone GmbH
architect: david chipperfield architects berlin
design: christoph felger – partner
project management: harald müller – partner
project architects: franziska rusch, thomas benk, eberhard veit, peter von matuschka
landscape architect: enea outside in
general planning: ingenieurteam bergmeister GmbH
photography: david chipperfield architects