Villa Esmeralda – Italy
Photo: Thomas Pagani
Nestled on a rocky promontory along Tuscany’s Argentario coast, a 1950s residence has been brought back to life through a project by Pierattelli Architetture. Measuring 450 sqm, the villa, one of the few along the Tuscan coast to enjoy direct access to the sea, unfolds across three levels defined by a series of terraces.
The project preserves the building’s original identity, reinterpreting its forms and volumes to strengthen its connection with the landscape and enhance its visual relationship with the Mediterranean. New openings and a reorganisation of the interior spaces improve the flow between rooms and reinforce the dialogue between architecture and the sea horizon.
“We wanted to create the feeling of being aboard a yacht, in constant dialogue with the sea horizon,” explains Andrea Pierattelli, partner at the practice. “From certain areas of the house, the gaze meets nothing but the sea, enhancing the sensation of being suspended above the water.”
The heart of the villa is the living area on the lower floor, where the lounge, kitchen and dining room open onto the sea through expansive glazed windows. Natural light and the surrounding panorama become integral elements of the living space, creating a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors.
Outside, the terraces follow the contours of the promontory, unfolding into a sequence of panoramic settings designed for different moments of the day. The infinity pool forms the focal point of the composition, complemented by areas dedicated to relaxation, conviviality and outdoor living.
Within this setting, RODA’s outdoor collections integrate naturally into the project, creating visual and functional continuity across the different areas. Materials, proportions and colours engage with the stone, vegetation and sea horizon, establishing a discreet balance that enhances the beauty of the Mediterranean landscape.
