Villa Belvedere

Description

The project involves the construction of a single-family villa in San Lorenzo della Costa, located in a private area below Via Aurelia. The intervention originates from the demolition of incongruous volumes and aims to enhance the site through contemporary architecture that blends seamlessly into the landscape.

From the outset, the villa was designed to minimize visual impact: natural materials such as stone and corten steel, together with a green roof and large glass surfaces, allow the building to harmonize with the surrounding vegetation.

During the construction phase, the original design required adjustments following ANAS distance regulations from the roadway. To ensure full compliance, the building has been shifted forward by approximately 7 meters. This modification led to a thorough study of the new positioning and the best volumetric configuration to preserve the site’s natural harmony.

The terrain’s morphology—characterized by terracing that slopes both perpendicularly and parallel to the retaining walls—made it difficult to integrate a single-level structure. For this reason, the villa has been reimagined over two floors, reducing the main façade from 25 to 14 meters.

This solution allows the ground floor to be fully embedded into the natural profile of the land, while the upper level—lighter and only 10 meters in length—maintains a very low visual impact.

The updated project retains the same style and materials as the original design: stone, wood, corten steel, and glass, selected to ensure chromatic and material continuity with the landscape. Additionally, the two-level configuration reduces land occupancy from 133 to 87 square meters, significantly limiting soil consumption.

Interior Layout

• Lower Ground Floor – Sleeping Area
• Fully clad in stone to blend with the existing retaining wall. Openings feature corten-effect metal frames. Planter beds with climbing plants are positioned at the base of solid wall sections to enhance natural integration. A small wooden walkway is planned in front of this level.
• Upper Floor – Living Area
• Large glass windows provide abundant natural light and reflect the surrounding greenery, giving the building visual lightness. The opaque surfaces are finished in stone and corten-effect metal, which is also used for window frames and trim. The roof features a green system with approximately 30 cm of vegetated substrate, reinforcing the project’s sustainable approach.
• The front parapet will be made of glass to preserve transparency and maintain a direct connection with the landscape.