PAN architetti craft coastal retreat interwoven with art, water and antoniolupi collections

water, art, and architecture unite in a bespoke coastal retreat

Located in the tranquil landscape of Forte dei Marmi, Italy, Villa Apua, designed by PAN Architetti, emerges as a masterful fusion of contemporary architecture and refined art curation. With water as the defining element of  the coastal residence, the architects involved antoniolupi from the very beginning in the design process, counting on the company’s high-level of customizable solutions. The collaboration resulted in a 270 square meter home that not only serves as a tranquil oasis but also as a gallery for the owners’ art collection, where antoniolupi’s tailor-made furnishings play a crucial role in blending art, nature, and architecture.

Villa Apua, designed by PAN Architetti | all images courtesy of PAN_Architetti

pan architetti elevates villa apua with antoniolupi collections

PAN Architetti collaborated closely with antoniolupi to ensure that every piece contributed to a cohesive and luxurious environment. Renowned for its expertise in working with premium materials, the Italian brand brings its design knowledge beyond the bathroom to enhance the broader living spaces of Villa Apua; its flexibility and rich material palette allowed the architects to tailor every detail to complement the Villa’s nature-connected character and the owners’ artistic vision, transforming it into both a private oasis and an art gallery.

art and contemporary design guided the design of the interior – ‘The Red Side’ by Massimiliano Pelletti

a walk through villa apua

The influence of water is immediately apparent upon entering Villa Apua. The expansive living area is designed to flow into the garden and pool, with large, full-height sliding glass doors blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. antoniolupi’s collections are prominently featured, with each piece chosen to enhance the residence’s connection to its surrounding landscape. The FOX sideboard from the Atelier_Living collection anchors the living area, while the presence of water outside is echoed in the fluid lines of the LOLLA armchair, contrasted by the sharp geometry of the OLIVER sofa – both designed by Carlo Colombo for antoniolupi. Marble coffee tables from the ORBIT line, designed by AL_Studio, complete the composition.

each piece of antoniolupi’s collections is chosen to enhance the villa’s relationship to its surroundings

The kitchen continues this harmonious narrative with a central ‘Wing’ table, handcrafted by Tuscan designer Marco Guazzini using Marwoolus®, creating a material and chromatic connection between the interior and the garden. Reflecting the client’s vision to integrate the home with the rich artistic and cultural heritage of the Versilia region, works by local artists and designers are exhibited throughout the villa. Including the photograph ‘Rosignano Solvay Sea III’ by Massimo Vitali, the sculpture ‘The Red Side’ by Massimiliano Pelletti and the white statuary Carrara marble and steel cable sculpture ‘Legami #12’ by Armenian sculptor Mikayel Ohanjanyan, this thoughtful curation of artwork, creates a cohesive dialogue between the living spaces, bedrooms, and the surrounding environment.

large, full-height sliding glass windows expand the living area to the outside – ‘Wing’ table by Tuscan designer Marco Guazzini.

The master bedroom, positioned for privacy and relaxation, showcases antoniolupi’s DUNE bathtub by Mario Ferrarini as a focal point in the bathroom. This space, characterized by its use of oak and travertine, provides a serene retreat with views of the intimate courtyard. antoniolupi’s INTROVERSO design sculptural washbasins in Carrara white marble by Paolo Ulian and COLLAGE mirrors by Luca Galofaro further enrich the master bathroom, integrating artistic elements into a luxurious setting.

the master bathroom, positioned on the ground floor, provides a serene retreat with views of the intimate courtyard

The first floor of Villa Apua houses the rest of the family’s sleeping quarters, where two suites, bathed in sunlight, offer panoramic views of the garden, horizon, and sea. These rooms blend with the home’s color and material palette, with the first bedroom featuring the ANIMA LIQUIDA LIVING boiserie/container system, which serves as a backdrop for Carlo Colombo’s CHARLIE bed, flanked by ROMA marble tables and complemented by the LOLLA armchair in matching fabric.

The en-suite bathroom balances Carrara White marble in sculptural elements like the FILORIGO washbasin by Paolo Ulian, and ORION bathtub by Mario Ferrarini with the geometric precision of Alpi Green marble in the boiserie, and CARTESIO shower system. Each detail reflects antoniolupi’s dedication to creating elegant, customized solutions that enhance both functionality and visual appeal.

The second bedroom continues the home’s warm tones and rich textures, with the ANIMA LIQUIDA LIVING system acting as a headboard for the SOFI bed, softened by rounded corners and fabric finishes. AL_Studio’s ORBIT marble coffee tables and Carlo Colombo’s BESPOKE storage system enhance both functionality and elegance, while the artwork ‘Industrial Landscape’ by Sten_Lex harmonizes with the room’s geometry.

In the en-suite bathroom, the contrast of warm wood tones and lava-grey marble shapes the MySTREET washbasins and NEBULA bathtub by AL_Studio, with Luca Galofaro’s COLLAGE mirrors adding to the artistic narrative. The spa area in the basement is a tribute to the ancient rituals of Japanese cleansing baths and the contrast between the intense heat of a sauna or onsen and the icy water of a mizuburo.

sleeping quarter on first floor with warm tones and rich textures – Art ‘Industrial Landscape’ by Sten_Lex

the lowered front edge of the two OFURO built-in tubs invites easy entry, allowing comfortable immersion and movement

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LOLLA armchair by Carlo Colombo, ORBIT marble coffee tables by AL_Studio, sculpture ‘Legami #12’, by Mikayel Ohanjanyan

above the FOX sideboard by Carlo Colombo is placed the photograph ‘Rosignano Solvay Sea III’ by Massimo Vitali

INTROVERSO design sculptural washbasins in Carrara white marble by Paolo Ulian and COLLAGE mirrors by Luca Galofaro

the master bedroom featuring the suspended ALA shelf, that acts as a podium for the work ‘Bambina con Conigli’ by Versilia artist David Paolinetti

en-suite bathroom on the first floor with FILORIGO washbasin by Paolo Ulian and the ORION bathtub by Mario Ferrarini

Sofi bed by Carlo Colombo and photograph by Giovanni Ricci-Novara of the 'Tindaro Nero' by Igor Mitoraj

the intimate entrance of Villa Apua by studio PAN Architetti

project info: 

name: Villa Apua

furnishing brand: antoniolupi | @antoniolupidesign

products: FOX sideboard; OLIVER sofa; LOLLA armchairs; ORBIT coffee tables; ALA shelf; CHARLIE bed; ROMA table; SOFI bed; BESPOKE storage system; ANIMA LIQUIDA LIVING boiserie/container system; INTROVERSO washbasins; DUNE bathtub; COLLAGE mirrors; FILORIGO washbasin; ORION bathtub; MySTREET washbasins; NEBULA bathtub

architects: PAN_Architetti | @panarchitetti

location: Forte dei Marmi, Italy