The project is located in Florence, Italy, and it starts from the idea of revitalizing two large abandoned buildings. The central concept was to unify them through a large central plaza, reshaping the surroundings and using landscape design to connect the main house with the rustic house. By extending the edges of this plaza, unique viewpoints emerge: one featuring an infinity pool and another with a fire pit, creating spectacular vantage points.
Since the buildings are set on a hillside overlooking vineyards, the design uses two complementary strategies. First, instead of a simple staircase between the main and rustic houses, we created stepped platforms that double as planters filled with Tuscan vegetation—like pines, cypresses, and shrubs—maintaining views of the vineyard. This not only integrates the natural landscape and offers visual privacy between spaces, but also creates a lush, garden-like atmosphere reminiscent of hanging gardens adapted to the Tuscan setting.
Second, since both houses are at the hilltop, we introduced two staircases that continue the strategy of extending the axes of the central plaza that unifies the houses. These staircases not only bridge the elevation down to the vineyard level, but they also provide a spectacular landscape as you descend and a beautiful view back up toward the houses when viewed from the vineyard. In this way, the staircases serve as a natural extension of the plaza’s axes, reinforcing the design’s overall harmony and connection with the Tuscan landscape.
Finally, the design is rounded out with leisure spaces like a badminton court and a barbecue area with a pergola. We also utilized the previously blocked-off basement, transforming it into a wine cellar that opens onto an English courtyard, complete with a fireplace for cozy meals or wine tastings. Additionally, since the family will be staying for an extended period of time, we incorporated the idea of having their own vegetable garden. This garden area lets them grow fresh produce on-site, adding a sustainable and personal touch to their stay, just like the other unique spaces we’ve included.

“The orientation and relationship of spaces demonstrate a strong understanding of the sun path – notably, the pool benefits from sunlight even in winter, and its proximity to the spa reinforces this seasonal usability. The pool design itself is elegant and harmoniously integrated with the landscape. The choice of materials and planting shows sensitivity and refinement, supporting a coherent dialogue between architecture and outdoor space.

The interiors are sophisticated, inserting contemporary elements in a respectful dialogue with the historic structures.

The keeper’s accommodation is well positioned and resolved.

Overall, the project displays a high level of care and precision in every aspect, from spatial organisation to detailing – the numerous “pocket” spaces around the site are particularly well considered and contribute to a rich, layered spatial experience.”

NATHALIE ROZENCWAJG – NAME Architecture

“The project demonstrates a strong spatial concept that transforms challenging topography into a design opportunity.

By using terraces, plazas, and circulation routes as connective and experiential elements, it achieves a seamless integration between architecture and landscape. The interplay of levels not only resolves the terrain but also enriches the sensory and social qualities of the site, creating spaces that feel both purposeful and poetic.

The presentation itself was very polished and visually engaging.”

MARIO GENTILE – Shiftspace

“The project demonstrates overall excellence.

The outdoor spaces are well resolved and effectively enhanced, showing great attention to detail and precision in graphic representation.

The color palette is balanced and coherent. The intervention is respectful, refined and elegant in its overall approach.”

AGNESE Mazzei – Agnese Mazzei Architetti

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ESSENTIA is born from the dialogue between nature, tradition, and contemporary living. The project takes inspiration from the five primordial elements — earth, water, air, fire, and aether — which become the language of both wellbeing and architecture. The goal is to restore an abandoned Tuscan podere and transform it into a place of understated luxury, balance, and reconnection, where every choice is rooted in authenticity and timeless elegance. More than a residence and a spa, ESSENTIA is an invitation to strip away the superfluous, to embrace essential beauty, and to rediscover harmony with the rhythms of the land.

Masterplan and Spatial Strategy

The site comprises the Manor House and the Rustico, once fragmented by later additions that obscured their proportions. The project restores clarity by removing architectural superfetations, re-establishing the Leopoldine symmetries of the openings, and reinstating harmony between the two volumes. The space between them becomes the heart of the project: a contemporary reinterpretation of the Italian piazza. Here, water plays a central role, with a reflecting basin above a hypogeum lounge and a long infinity pool facing westward. This central void is not simply connective tissue; it is the fulcrum of the entire experience, uniting architecture, landscape, and elements.

The Language of the Elements

At the core lies a circular hypogeum lounge — a symbolic presence of the fifth element, aether. Within it, fire burns at the center, while a veil of water descends from a basin above, creating a liquid mirror that binds architecture to sky and land. From here, water continues its journey outward, flowing into the infinity pool that dissolves into the horizon, blurring the threshold between earth and sky. This composition of elements is not symbolic alone; it is experiential. Guests encounter air in the openness of perspectives, earth in the materiality of stone and wood, fire in the hearth that gathers people together, water in its continuous flow, and aether in the intangible sense of connection binding them.

Architecture

The Manor House is restored as an elegant, contemporary residence. Historical partitions are preserved, safeguarding the dignity of the Leopoldine structure. High ceilings with exposed beams frame three large suites and a master bedroom on the upper floor, each with en-suite bathroom, walk-in closet, and generous windows that bathe interiors in natural light.

On the ground floor, a central entrance anchors the layout. The western side opens to the living area, carefully connected with the infinity pool outside, while the eastern side hosts the food-related spaces: kitchen, dining room, and pantry, linked seamlessly to the al fresco dining terrace. From the pantry, stairs descend to the wine cellar, laundry, and technical areas. Above, the dovecote tower becomes a sky library, a quiet retreat suspended between earth and heavens.

The Rustico is transformed into a private spa, designed as a sequence of sensorial experiences guided by the four elements. Water, fire, air, and earth shape a path of purification and wellbeing. Contemporary materials such as corten steel and glass are paired with stone and wood, achieving a delicate balance of tradition and innovation.

Landscape

The landscape design celebrates the Tuscan identity while enhancing comfort and ecological value. The entrance evokes the iconic image of Tuscany, with cypresses arranged in formal rows, complemented by borders of lavender and verbena that bring fragrance, color, and timeless elegance. Around the property, different thematic areas articulate rhythm and contrast. Gravel areas host drought-tolerant essences in purple and grey-green tones, reducing irrigation needs while conveying a sense of wilderness. Rows of squared corten planters with local edible species introduce geometric order, contrasting with the surrounding spontaneity of the countryside. To the north, a private garden is enclosed by a circular green wall and fronted by a ring of vines, forming a natural amphitheater that deepens the connection with the land. The terraces facing the street are planted with wild species that create a soft backdrop for the infinity pool. Curved eco-acoustic walls embrace the property, shielding it from highway noise and views. These variable-height barriers, up to 2.5 meters tall, are metal frames filled with natural substrate and colonized by vegetation, transforming protection into a living presence.

Sun and Orientation

The pool’s placement results from careful study of the sun’s path. Located on the west side, it enjoys afternoon light and sunsets, oriented toward the estate’s quietest side and its most captivating views. This ensures both comfort and atmosphere, uniting orientation and landscape in a coherent architectural solution.

Materials and colors

The palette reflects the Crete Senesi landscape and the heritage of the Tuscan podere. Warm, natural tones blend with the earth, reinforcing continuity rather than contrast. Local materials — travertine, pietra Santafiora, terracotta, and chestnut wood — are combined with corten steel and glass, bridging past and present, solidity and lightness.

Special attention is given to sourcing locally and prioritizing sustainable choices. The result is architecture that is both aesthetically refined and environmentally responsible, reducing impact while enhancing authenticity and durability.

Experiential journey

ESSENTIA unfolds as a journey through spaces, each resonating with the elements. Guests arrive through an iconic Tuscan entrance lined with cypresses and lavender. They move through a sequence of gardens — wild, geometric, intimate — before entering the central piazza where water and fire converse.

The spa guides them through a sensorial path of purification, while the residence offers spaces of light, intimacy, and elegance. Throughout, the landscape frames each moment with order, rhythm, and natural beauty.

Conclusion

ESSENTIA  is more than architecture; it is a vision of how built form, landscape, and elemental forces can merge into a single language of wellbeing. By restoring the dignity of an abandoned podere and elevating it with contemporary design, the project creates a place rooted in heritage yet oriented toward the future.

The result is a synthesis of sustainability, elegance, and timeless connection — an architecture that belongs wholly to its land, where life flows with the eternal rhythm of nature.

“The multiplicity and diversity of paths within the interior and exterior program is interesting.

The “journey” conceptualization is well-driven and directs to different uses and users.

Landscape design and disposition stand out.”

GIANCARLO MAZZANTI – El Equipo Mazzanti

Redefyning luxury for a sustainable future

Luxury has long been associated with a very impacting lifestyle. But today’s discerning consumers are no longer satisfied with beauty alone: they seek purpose, responsibility, and a deeper connection to the world around them. Sustainability is a value, not a trend. And while luxury real estate and hospitality are beginning to respond, the shift has been hesitant, missing the opportunity to truly embrace this evolving mindset.

This project introduces a bold new paradigm in luxury living: not as static possession, but as dynamic and meaningful experience. Responsible luxury invites residents and guests to actively engage with the place they inhabit, to live not just in beauty, but in awareness; not just with comfort, but with conscience.

Through an innovative approach, the proposal seamlessly combines high-end living with the authenticity of the Tuscan lifestyle. It offers more than just elevated quality, it provides an immersive journey into the local culture, rhythms, and landscape. Here, luxury is not an escape from reality, but a deeper embrace of it: refined, rooted, profoundly human and responsible.

A Sensitive Approach to Rural Integration

Nestled in the hills near Florence, the site becomes a space of measured balance between nature, architecture and culture. The landscape design draws inspiration from Tuscan tradition, reinterpreting its essential elements: the woodland edge as a threshold of shade and coolness; terraces as places of rest and contemplation overlooking the landscape; and the meadow as a living surface, animated by seasonal blooms, pollinators, and birds.

At the heart of the landscape lies a botanical carpet of “a thousand flowers” that evolves with the seasons, offering both refuge to biodiversity and sensory richness to those who explore it. Close to the buildings, a sustainable system of water collection and phytoremediation transforms water into a living, regenerative element: an organically shaped natural pool, integrated into the landscape, and discreet fountains serve as tools for acoustic wellbeing, masking the nearby highway with natural sounds. Here, water is not mere ornament, but a vital presence to be heard, circulated, and respected.

While an open lawn next to the main residence is preserved for recreational and social activities, every form and shape reflects the agricultural tradition. The area in front of greenhouse is conceived as a vegetable garden that refers to the tradition of the typical ‘Aia’

Experience timeless quality and wellbeing through sustainable design

This project embodies a refined balance between historical preservation and contemporary living, honoring the traditional “Leopoldina” house as a valuable legacy to be preserved and reinterpreted.Through thoughtful study of the building and site’s climate, it applies bioclimatic design and energy-efficient, functional upgrades that enhance and respect the original soul of the building.

The common areas are intentionally designed to encourage a sense of connection – both spatially and socially. On the ground floor, a generous living area is placed in the most iconic part of the villa, while the kitchen is located toward the back, closer to the greenhouse and service areas. These spaces flow seamlessly into one another and extend toward the outdoors, inviting natural light and air into daily life.

Across the central courtyard (aia), where summer life unfolds in the naturally cooler, shaded part of the estate, a bioclimatic greenhouse becomes both a functional and poetic element. It reduces the heating demand of the adjacent annex, enables year-round vegetable cultivation, and provides a bright, nature-connected space for dining and gathering, especially in mid-season and winter.

Wellness is central to the design, featuring a gym and sauna overlooking a natural pool nourished by a phytoremediation fountain, promoting year-round outdoor living.

Spaces balance form and function, with thoughtful layouts and bespoke details that elevate the everyday experience. Bedrooms offer privacy and comfort, focusing on passive cooling and benefiting from natural cross-ventilation for restful summer nights. The layout accommodates multiple living scenarios – hosting owners, guests, or multiple families – including a master suite, two guest master bedrooms, junior suites, a nanny’s room, and an extra bedroom in the Fienile.

The design embraces a low-tech, high-experience philosophy, prioritizing passive bioclimatic strategies – such as intelligent orientation, thermal mass, cross ventilation and natural shading – over mechanical systems. Comfort is achieved through smart, nature-based solutions rather than over-engineering, honoring the existing building’s legacy, providing high comfort with minimal, discreet backup systems used sparingly.

The former “Colombaia” tower has been transformed into the new bioclimatic heart of the villa. Acting as a natural wind tower, it harnesses cool north-eastern night breezes and integrates a passive downdraft evaporative cooling system that uses water to reduce indoor temperatures. Asmall observatory invites guests to enjoy both the beauty of natural airflow and the starry skies above.

Quality Materials and Meaningful Details

The entire project is designed with the utmost respect for nature and resources. Water systems, materials, finishes and furnishings have been selected to minimize environmental impact.

The interior design strategy reflects this same ethos, blending innovation with authenticity. A thorough analysis of the existing structure guided the reuse and upgrade of many original elements: not merely reused but reimagined and transformed into bespoke design features. Local demijohns, reclaimed terracotta and salvaged wood have been repurposed to create unique custom furnishings, giving new life and meaning to the past. Interiors are infused with a narrative richness that speaks to craftsmanship, sustainability and local identity.

High-quality materials and furnishings are chosen not only for their aesthetic appeal, but for their longevity and tactile beauty. Natural materials take center stage throughout: raw earth plaster (terra cruda), cocciopesto, FSC-certified wood, VOC-free finishes, and eco-friendly paints: every element, down to the smallest detail, reflects a commitment to excellence and conscious design, authenticity and timeless beauty.

This is not simply a renovation – it is a philosophy in action: luxury is not about excess, but about meaning. It’s about creating environments that feel both refined and rooted-places where innovation respects tradition, and where every design choice tells a story of care, intention, and quiet sophistication.

“The project stands out as a good balance between luxury and environmental sustainability, with studies on water and sun cycles to support the functional distribution. The flexibility of the internal layout based on different composition of inhabitants is appreciated.”

ANASTASIA KUCHEROVA – Stefano Boeri Architetti

Podere Santa Margherita

The project of restoration and improvement of the villa is based on the idea of combining: architecture and landscape, history and modernity, privacy and openness. The key element is the platform that unites the manor house and the rustic. Forming a unified structure, it connects all spatial and functional elements of the site. The platform becomes the basis for the interaction between architecture and nature, directs movements, shapes the scenarios of stay, and reveals the unique views of the area.  

The platform works in several directions and includes different zones: observation decks on the hills and vineyards; a dining area with bar, kitchen and spiral staircase passes to a sheltered seating area with fireplace and views of the olive grove; a large swimming pool with a window that lets light into the lower level and creates a caustic effect. The chambers of the lower area are complemented by a waterfall that overlooks the panorama. At the entrance to the territory there is a covered parking lot, from where a walking path starts, which also connects all the recreational areas of the lower level.

The materials used in the project refer to the authenticity of the region: the red sandstone used as the main material for the platform connects the idea to the local architecture and imbues the space with expressiveness. Landscaping also plays an important role in landscaping. For the harmonious interaction of the color scheme, plants of blue shades with a subtle aroma, peculiar to the region, have been chosen to shade and refresh the space. Olives, sage, thyme, wormwood, dimondia and others will become accents on the terracotta background.

In the historical part of the project, the priority remains the preservation of the identity of the buildings. The green color of the window frames and entrance groups is integrated into the overall concept, while the restoration works are carried out according to the principle of transition from old to new, which can be read through the combination of stone – the base of the existing walls – and plaster.

The first floor of the manor house is designed to accommodate a large living room with a dining room, a room with a fireplace, a bathroom and a kitchen with a separate pantry. The second floor has a sports area, four bedrooms, each with a bathroom.

A spa area, a tasting space with wine cabinets and a two-level staff living area are proposed in the rustic.

In the interiors, the focus remains on architectural elements: arches and vaults. A terracotta hue, characteristic of the overall concept, has been introduced. The glass jugs found throughout the villa are an integral part of the project. History and modernity in the project interact through form, material and atmosphere, forming an integral and expressive space for the life and leisure of guests and guests of the villa in the Florentine hills.

“This project distinguishes itself through a strong proposal to add programmatic value, building out the space between the two existing structures beneath the ground-level datum.

It successfully preserves the historic buildings while introducing a third, contemporary element to accommodate potential additional needs, such as mechanical parking and storage, without “tacking on” to the Rustico.

Utimately, the proposal demonstrates a strong and original conceptual vision, distinguishing itself through clarity of intent and innovative interpretation of the brief offering clear opportunities for further development rather than resulting in a static or predictable outcome.”

GREGORY KAHN MELITONOV – Taller KEN

Philosophy/ Concept

Our design approach for the restoration of Podere Santa Margherita is rooted in the belief that heritage architecture must be understood as a living continuum rather than a static monument. Restoration, in our vision, is not about erasing or overshadowing the past, but about revealing, preserving, and revitalising it so that it may continue to serve contemporary life both functionally and aesthetically.

The heart of our intervention is a transparent glass link connecting the historic Rustico to the main Leopoldine Manor House. This element embodies our guiding philosophy: a dialogue between tradition and modernity. Visually, it acts as a lens framing the historic architecture; functionally, it provides shelter and comfort by allowing movement between buildings during colder or rainy months. Symbolically, it represents a thread of continuity, a connection between what was and what is, between memory and present use.

By reinforcing this philosophy throughout the project, we aim to create a timeless architectural narrative: one that safeguards authenticity while allowing the estate to thrive once more as a living, functional part of today’s Tuscan landscape.

Heritage Approach / Restoration Strategy

The Manor House stands as a distinguished example of a traditional Leopoldine farmhouse, defined by symmetrical façades, dovecote tower, lime-plastered exterior walls, and the central internal staircase, elements that embody the enduring identity of the Leopoldine tradition.

Our research revealed respectful yet decisive strategies for restoring the manor through a sensitive heritage conservation approach. Incompatible 20th-century extensions at the rear façade, which compromised the building’s historic integrity, are removed to uncover its original form. The intonaco plaster is reinstated with lime and natural pigments, ensuring both durability and authenticity of appearance. Original openings are precisely repaired, with altered proportions corrected, while timber shutters and window frames are faithfully returned. Masonry and roof structures are carefully consolidated, with only irreparable elements replaced in compatible materials, allowing a seamless dialogue between past and present.

For the Rustico, our approach is similarly conservative. The 1960s brick extension is retained and reinterpreted as part of its layered history, adapted with sensitivity rather than erased. Structural consolidation and material restoration will bring the barn back to life, while new uses will enhance its relevance.
The principle of minimal intervention underpins all new works. Where contemporary elements are introduced, they remain transparent and deferential. The glass link exemplifies this ethos: a light, connective gesture that allows the historic structures to retain primacy while quietly providing continuity. Newly introduced arches reinterpret the rhythm of the manor’s original internal arcades, weaving the interior into a continuous and harmonious spatial experience.

Spatial/ Programmatic Vision

The Manor House

The ground floor is reimagined as a convivial community space, echoing its historical role in agricultural life. A sequence of interconnected, yet distinct spaces unfold, their boundaries softened by sheer curtains that create subtle thresholds and evoke a sense of discovery. To the left of the entrance, intimate lounges and entertaining areas invite gathering and conversation, while to the right, culinary and tasting spaces celebrate the traditions and flavours of Tuscany.

The first floor recalls its historic role as the family quarters, now houses 6 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. Each adopts a distinct palette and eclectic furnishings, unified by restored windows that frame the picturesque Chianti’s hills.

The pigeon tower, once redundant, is reinterpreted as a contemplative observatory. A new stair makes it accessible, transforming it into a meditative retreat immersed in horizon and sky.

The Rustico

The Rustico forms distinct yet connected realm, complementing the Manor while providing separation for guest activities.

A wellness spa, inspired by Roman thermae, integrates thermal bathing, massage, and fitness into holistic retreat. The adjoining guest suite offers private intimacy and quiet luxury, positioned apart from the Manor’s more convivial life. Externally, a panoramic swimming pool extends from the spa, establishing direct dialogue with the Tuscan hills.

Thus, the Rustico balances privacy with conviviality both a retreat and a gathering place, enriching the estate’s rhythm.

Interiors/ Guest Experience

The interiors are conceived not as conventional living spaces but as curated experiences: discreet, sensory, authentic expressions of luxury designed for cosmopolitan guests. Comfort is elevated through intimacy, surprise, and memory.

A tactile palette of natural stone, terracotta, lime plaster, chestnut wood, glass, and marble grounds the interiors in rustic authenticity. Contemporary furnishings in glass, natural fabrics, and sculptural marble introduce refinement while remaining in dialogue with the historic envelope.

The design utilises a colour palette drawn directly from the surrounding landscape and its seasonal rhythms:
– Fresh greens of vines and blossoming fields.
– Golden wheat against dark olive and cypress.
– Deep reds and ochres of harvest vineyards.
– Muted browns and greys of winter mists.

These colours tie interior atmospheres seamlessly to the changing landscape outside.

Landscape

The landscape is conceived as an inseparable extension of the architecture, reinforcing the timeless bond between the Podere and its Chianti setting. Rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves are framed by reinstated cypress-lined paths, restoring the axial rhythm of the estate. Vegetation belts and terraced plantings are carefully introduced to screen the nearby highway and industrial area, preserving tranquillity and visual harmony. Outdoor spaces extend naturally from interiors: stone terraces for lounging, open-air dining in the courtyard surrounded by vegetation, wellness spaces opening directly onto water and horizon. In this way, architecture and environment are woven into one, attuned to the slow, enduring rhythms of Tuscan rural life.

Conclusion

‘La Rinascita’ follows a heritage ethos of conservation and adaptive reuse. The Manor is restored with authenticity and decisiveness, the Rustico reinterpreted as a retreat, and the transparent glass link unites them while the historic structures remain prima donnas.
The project is choreographed as a layered experience of glimpses, thresholds, and complementary realms of gathering and retreat. Guests encounter not just restored architecture but a living narrative of rebirth, discovery, sensory, and memory. ‘La Rinascita’emerges not as spectacle but as revelation: a timeless estate that honours its Leopoldine origins while offering today’s guests extraordinary immersion in Tuscany’s architecture, interiors, and landscape.

“Material choices are sensitive and appropriate: retaining the rustico building in stone is convincing, and the treatment of the main house façade shows a careful balance between respect for history and contemporary expression. The plan is well resolved and internally coherent. (…)”

NATHALIE ROZENCWAJG – NAME Architecture

Architecture as Dialogue: Between Past and Present, Earth and Sky

After more than a century of quiet endurance, standing resilient on a hilltop in the heart of Tuscany, the old farmstead now begins a new chapter. Its once utilitarian walls — shaped by time, weather, and tradition — prepare to welcome a different kind of inhabitant: not the farmer, but the traveler, the dreamer, the dweller seeking light, silence, and beauty.

The world around has changed. Tuscany, long celebrated for its golden hills and ancient olive groves, is no longer just a place of production — it has become a place of pilgrimage for the senses, for experience. This transformation inspired a project that seeks not only to convert, but to honor, reinterpret, and elevate. The goal: to bring the past gently into the present, and in doing so, create a home for contemporary life rooted deeply in the soul of the land.

1. The Whisper of the Land

// limits / embrace / protection / circle //

Although perched on a privileged peak, the ensemble once lacked clarity. No clear boundaries, no marked beginning or end. It was part of the land, tangled in vegetation and time, fading into the olive trees. Access was informal, organic, unfiltered — and while this lent it a kind of freedom, it also demanded redefinition.

The intervention began not with walls, but with intention. A desire to create a gentle threshold between the built and the unbuilt. Between presence and absence. A new choreography of space was designed: soft planes and sloping terraces unfurled like linen across the hillside. Semicircles, ancient symbols of embrace and protection, emerged as guiding geometries — not rigid, but poetic outlines of containment.

The newly drawn boundaries do not enclose, they gather. A stone path does not divide, but invites. Elevated parapets lightly lift above the ground, defining space while letting it breathe. Between the house and the landscape, a new relationship is born — respectful, open, serene.

To the west, where the land turns toward the industrial and the loud, a green curtain now stands: trees and shrubs planted with care, composing a protective veil that filters sound and softens the horizon – a loving shield, a way of holding space for peace.

2. Light and Line of Sight

// focus / horizon / unity / presence //

Conversion is not merely technical; it is meaningful. A farm becomes a home. A landscape becomes a view. The role of architecture here is to frame experience.

The main house, once plain in its authority, is now granted a ceremonial presence. It stands upon a new base — a quiet pedestal formed by carefully proportioned steps. This gentle elevation gives it dignity. It remains accessible, humble, but undeniably the heart.

To its side, the “Rustico” — the smaller, secondary building — is no longer an afterthought. Through a semicircular gesture traced in stone, a dialogue is formed between the two volumes. In this spatial language, the buildings speak to each other, bound by a common rhythm.

Behind the Rustico, a space once forgotten now becomes a sanctuary of perspective. Another semicircle emerges — a mirror to the one at the entry — creating a visual echo. Here, the earth opens to reveal the surrounding vineyards in a cinematic sweep.

Throughout the complex, windows and openings pierce old walls. They are careful edits in the story of the structure — each one capturing a fragment of sky, a corner of grove, a gesture of sun.

At the center of this new composition lies a singular element: the pool, a line of light that cuts through stone and time, linking the Rustico, the main building and the whole space. Its edge vanishes into the landscape, creating a suspended view. The pool is a horizon — an eye open to the hills.

3. Matter, Memory, and Use

// texture / essence / tradition / renewal //

In shaping this project, material choices became acts of storytelling. The aim was reintegration — a return to the tactile truths of place.

Local terracotta, warm and honest. Pale limestone, soft to the eye but enduring to the touch. The deep green of newly planted olive trees, echoing their ancient predecessors. Every surface speaks the dialect of the land.

The main house now holds the domestic core. The rhythm of daily life is carefully composed: day spaces on the ground floor, where light moves freely through generous volumes; night spaces above, where four private units offer rest and refuge.

The Rustico, in contrast, becomes a temple to leisure. Inside, a wellness space with saunas, showers, and private retreats. Outside, a seamless connection to the pool and terrace.

This is a project of stillness and movement. Of continuity and change. Of earth made into shelter. By translating the language of the old farm into a contemporary architectural dwelling, the project remembers, it reimagines. And in doing so, it offers a new kind of luxury: one measured not by excess, but by quiet, space, view, light, and time. Here, the buildings settle into the hill. They listen to the wind in the vines. They frame a sky that has always been there. And in their transformation, they invite us to consider what it means to belong — to a place, to a moment, to a story both old and unfolding.

The proposal is grounded in a sensitive reconstruction of the historic estate, seeking to merge the authenticity of the Tuscan landscape with a refined contemporary luxury. At its core lies a dialogue between heritage and modernity—a respect for the existing agricultural buildings, their proportions and materiality, while introducing a new architectural and interior layer that elevates the experience for a discerning clientele. The guiding principle is to establish a balance between collective and private life, between tradition and innovation, between the permanence of stone and the lightness of modern space.

Urban Strategy

The design respects the typological composition of the site: the manor house (leopoldina) as the central and representative element, and the rustic annex as the complementary structure. The landscape intervention is deliberately restrained—parking for only two to three cars is placed discreetly within greenery, ensuring the primacy of the natural environment. Circulation is organized through gravel paths and garden terraces, which frame the approach and create intimate outdoor seating areas. The central courtyard between the two buildings becomes the heart of the estate: a communal space with views toward the Tuscan hills, enriched by an infinity pool and contemplative green niches. The terraces and walkways are arranged according to the original goal of visually separating the industrial zone. The existing greenery has been modified with minimal intervention and supplemented with vegetation typical of Tuscany in certain areas. Views of the vineyards and surrounding hills have been created. The most important views are from the infinity pool, then to the west from the main entrance and balconies, and also to the southwest from the terrace.

Architecture

The architectural approach preserves the monumental character of the leopoldina while allowing new insertions to express contemporary precision. The exterior retains its authentic stone façades, complemented by minimal steel and timber details in the form of slender pergolas and crafted balcony railings. The rusticannex, with its more utilitarian character, is reinterpreted as a multifunctional structure accommodating wellness and collective activities. Together, the two buildings frame an architectural dialogue of permanence and transformation, rooted in the genius loci of the region. The design achieved the idea of preserving the genius loci of the place, promoting Tuscan culture, with minimalist additions of luxurious and modern elements that ensure this house lives in its full form.

•  Ground floor: a generous entrance hall, a sequence of vaulted salons forming the main living space, a dining room with fireplace, guest facilities, and a service kitchen with direct access to the exterior. Beneath, a vaulted cellar accessible from the southern side is transformed into a wine room and tasting area.
• Upper floor: two symmetrical residential units, each with a master bedroom, guest room, living area, and a spacious bathroom. A small study overlooking the landscape anchors the central axis opposite thestaircase. Two master bedrooms open towards the southwest, each with a balcony offering sunset views.
• Attic: a compact belvedere connected to the former dovecote, reimagined as an intimate reading or contemplation space.

• Southern wing: staff facilities including a small living area, bathroom, and bedroom.
• Central space: a semi-outdoor atelier or workshop for shared activities, preserving the rustic character.
• Northern wing: a wellness zone with sauna, whirlpool, and direct access to the infinity pool overlooking the descending terrain. A compact changing room and technical service area support this function.

The interiors reinterpret Tuscan tradition through a modern Italian design language. Historic vaults and stone walls are complemented by clean lines, natural materials, and bespoke furniture. Carefully curated elements—iconic Italian lighting, sculptural armchairs, subtle terrazzo and timber finishes—lend a sense of understated luxury. Key spaces, such as the bathrooms, embrace the unexpected: large windows opening towards the landscape, transforming them into domestic spas. The interiors are conceived as narratives of light and material, capturing the rhythm of the day and the atmosphere of the surrounding countryside.

Trees: Olive tree (Olea europaea), Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Holm oak (Quercus ilex), Fig tree (Ficus carica).

Shrubs: Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).

Groundcover / Herbs: Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Sage (Salvia officinalis).
Climbers: Grape vine (Vitis vinifera), Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), Jasmine (Jasminum officinale).

The project aspires to create more than a residence: a cultural retreat that honors its history while offering a contemporary way of living. It is a place where a wealthy yet culturally sensitive guest can experience authentic Tuscany through architecture—immersed in nature, surrounded by history, and enriched by the precision of modern design. The ultimate ambition is to set a precedent for how historic rural estates can berenewed with dignity, blending heritage preservation with innovation, and transforming them into timeless, meaningful destinations.

Our guiding vision was to reinterpret the Manor House as a 19th-century villa, reviving Tuscan tradition through authentic materials – terracotta, leather, wood, and aged lime plasters – while projecting the property into the future as a place of luxury, sustainability, and experiential hospitality.

The design follows a symbolist and experiential approach: every space is connected to the earth, the woods, nature, and the ancient Tuscan deities, with a special homage to Bacchus, god of wine, festivity, and rural pleasure. The estate becomes a narrative journey where architecture and landscape merge to offer guests a sensory rediscovery of Tuscan culture.

On arrival, visitors are welcomed by a discreet parking area for five cars, integrated into the garden by the entrance road. The entire property is fenced and organized to ensure privacy, security, and exclusivity.

Manor House

Ground floor + basement

The north wing is preserved as a large open space, structured by the original brick arches creating two fluid environments:

The south wing accommodates a professional kitchen with service rooms, a refined tea room with custom shelving and armchairs by the fireplace, and guest restrooms. A staircase leads down to the basement.( laundry, technical/boiler room, and refuse room, designed with direct service access)

First floor

The upper level reflects the same dual organization.

Between the two wings sits a home office/study, designed for modern smart working, offering concentration and countryside views.

Rustic Building, Keeper’s House, and Guest House

The Rustic building has been transformed into the heart of the wellness experience. Its southern section houses the spa, where a welcoming beauty area features a central stone plate with a delicate perfumed water drop, an evocative ritual of arrival. Behind it lie the changing rooms, while to the east opens the spa proper: a heated pool, sauna, Turkish bath, and mezzanine chill-out area.

Adjacent to the spa is the Keeper’s House, a compact and functional residence with living/kitchen area, bedroom, and bathroom, intended for staff.

At the far end, in the more recent and elevated extension, stands the Guest House, offering one double and one single bedroom, each with en-suite bathrooms and a small kitchen. Independent yet connected, it provides privacy for friends and special guests.

Landscape and Outdoor Areas

The outdoor design is conceived as an immersive journey into Tuscan nature. Pathways and vegetation guide guests to explore and reconnect with the spirit of ancient woodland divinities.

The planting strategy favors low shrubs (max 1.5 m) and aromatic species typical of Tuscany – lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme, dwarf oleander, myrtle, jasmine – providing both screening and sensory richness.

A defining feature is the natural bio-pool, strategically placed toward the industrial zone to transform a critical view into an ecological focal point. The pool is fed by a system of filter plates and phytopurification basins, naturally cleansing the water and symbolically generating a “spring of life.” This guarantees water that is healthier for the skin, environmentally sustainable, and less energy-consuming than conventional pools.

Outdoor circulation uses permeable stabilized gravel and stone paving for dry walkways, while teak decking defines the poolside, chosen for durability, slip resistance, and timeless elegance.

Lighting and Atmosphere

Lighting design emphasizes warm, evocative atmospheres at every time of day.

Materials and Facades

Material selection reflects Tuscan identity while blending tradition with refinement:

For the facades, the project restores all original openings, ensuring maximum natural light and ventilation while reinstating the building’s historic prestige. Surfaces will be repainted with natural lime-based paints, combining beauty, breathability, hygiene, and sustainability. These finishes guarantee long-lasting durability, stable colors, and ecological value, bridging traditional techniques with modern performance.

Interior Design and Innovation

The project introduces innovative interior design solutions that reinterpret tradition in a contemporary key. Custom-made furniture – from the wine counter to the tea room shelves to service wardrobes – merges functionality with bespoke elegance.

The furnishings are defined by essential forms and honest materials, often becoming prismatic, monolithic, and deliberately solid, in subtle contrast with the overall softness and elegance of the architectural envelope. This duality reinforces the experiential nature of the interiors, where rigor and warmth coexist.

Innovation is further supported by integrated smart systems, enabling centralized management of light, climate, and sound to adapt the atmosphere to guest needs. Tuscan craftsmanship is celebrated through locally produced artisanal elements in leather, ceramics, and wood, revisited with modern techniques to create unique design features.

The design fosters a dialogue between old and new: original arches and restored openings serve as historical backdrops for clean lines and contemporary details. The bio-pool itself reinterprets the rural archetype of the village spring, now transformed into an ecological and luxury amenity.

Sustainability and Innovation

The project integrates eco-sustainable strategies:

The architectural project is based on the principles of conservation, enhancement, and variation, with the aim of respecting the historical features of the two buildings, restoring their legibility and formal dignity, while at the same time introducing contemporary elements capable of dialoguing with the pre-existing structures without compromising their identity. The intervention therefore takes on a conservative approach regarding load-bearing structures, façades, openings, and materials, complemented by modern contrasting components to ensure a balanced relationship between memory and innovation.

The manor house underwent a stratigraphic analysis, which revealed the various construction phases and subsequent additions over time. On the entrance façade, windows and doors were reopened in correspondence with their original positions, restoring symmetry and regularity to the composition. All window frames, railings, sills, and deteriorated surfaces were fully replaced, while the façades were re-plastered to protect the masonry from weathering. The entrance canopy was demolished and rebuilt, and a system for rainwater recovery was introduced through chain downspouts directing water into terracotta vessels, concealing inspection wells. Similar work was carried out on the lateral façades, homogenizing the arrangement of openings according to the original layout and restoring surface finishes.

The rear façade, facing the rural annex, was enhanced by removing incongruous additions and partially reopening bricked-up windows. Where reconstruction was not required, recesses in the masonry evoke the original openings, reinforcing the rhythm of solids and voids. On the ground floor, railings were replaced and repositioned to ensure security without compromising aesthetics. The roof was restored by replacing tiles and reconstructing the boarding, while preserving the original wooden structure. The small tower above the roof was reconnected to the interior space and fitted with internal frames corresponding to the arched openings, thus maintaining its external image.

The gutter and downspout system was redesigned to create a continuous rainwater collection ring, directing water into cisterns for reuse in flushing and irrigation, following sustainable principles.

From a functional layout perspective, the ground floor accommodates the communal spaces (kitchen, living room, library, play areas, and bar), while the first floor hosts private rooms (bedrooms with en-suite facilities). The tower, intended for collective use and shared on a rotating basis among guests, was conceived as a space for contemplation and relaxation, equipped with a hammock and furnishings for meditation and yoga. The original access levels were preserved, maintaining the historical position of the openings. Differences in elevation are managed through stairs and steps with a maximum rise of 17 cm.

Furnishings and communal areas were dimensioned to host the maximum number of users, including the guest apartment in the annex. In order not to compromise the load-bearing walls, building services run within false walls at varying heights: in the kitchen and living room they reach 120 cm, leaving the historic stone and brick walls visible. Sanitary facilities were positioned with appropriate separation.

The first floor follows a distributional logic inspired by the hospitality model, where each bedroom is independent, furnished for a comfortable and authentic stay, and equipped with a private bathroom offering panoramic views. Bathrooms were positioned to allow vertical alignment of service shafts. Where necessary, the floor level was raised to accommodate installations without structural modifications to the slabs. In terms of materials, traditional finishes were preserved and combined with grey resin flooring, neutral plaster, ceramics, and terracotta. Internal partitions were built in plasterboard, minimizing loads on the existing structures.

Regarding the rural annex, the intervention preserves the load-bearing structure and perimeter walls, while fully redesigning the interior spaces. The façades were cleaned and treated, preserving their material character; window frames were replaced; and a new arched opening on the west façade maximizes solar gain. The roofs were restored, retaining the wooden beams, while the gutter system was connected to the rainwater storage tanks. Photovoltaic panels were installed on the roof to ensure renewable energy supply.

The new program for the annex includes a guest apartment, a sauna with changing rooms, an indoor swimming pool connected to the outdoor pool via a vertical sliding window, and a wine cellar with tasting area. The ground floor slab was reconstructed and finished in grey resin, ensuring continuous and uniform surfaces.

The more recent brick addition was reinterpreted as an independent guest apartment. The reconstruction of the ground floor slab allowed the creation of new internal levels and the insertion of a mezzanine with two double bedrooms. The unit includes a living room with open kitchen, office area, bathroom, and internal vertical circulation separating service and technical spaces.

The outdoor areas were designed with attention to both functionality and landscape perception. The natural topography was used to create two stairways: one leading to the new parking area, dimensioned according to the facility’s maximum capacity, and the other connecting the building to the vineyard, strengthening the link with the land and wine production. To mitigate the visual impact of the road and nearby industrial area, the perimeter was planted with tall trees.

The space between the two buildings becomes the focal point of the landscape design, featuring a large outdoor swimming pool directly connected to the indoor pool of the annex. Around the pool, a system of concrete pathways follows the natural slopes, generating new visual perspectives through stairs, terraces, and staggered planes that link the two buildings. The forecourt of the manor house was paved with river pebbles and framed by rows of vines.

Plantings near the buildings were organized in green basins, ensuring controlled growth of selected species consistent with the Tuscan landscape. The only exception is the pool area, characterized by low-maintenance ornamental species, integrating the recreational dimension with the surrounding rural context.

The project approach and architectural intention are guided by the need to create a foundation for defining the organization of the site in its new entirety. The project gives the architectural ensemble a new timeless character in its new composition. Arriving at Podere Santa Margherita from the main access road to the site offers a view of the building identical to the original historical perception, with no view of the proposed extension.

Access is guided by landscaping towards the new side entrance. Here, an elegant and contemporary composition creates an interior space between the main building and the Rustico. The entire composition defines a large terrace that offers a living space protected from the noise and views of the road and industrial area, and open to the Tuscan landscape. This terrace is on the same level as the Rustico and the reception area, as well as the pergola located between the two entities. There is a swimming pool overlooking the landscape. The main building also provides direct access via the historic passageway.

Another large terrace, built on the ground floor of the main building, offers a more shaded and intimate atmosphere, allowing for a variety of activities and moods, while preserving the views of the surrounding landscape.

The landscape offers strong connections through the privileged views from the terraces, but also from inside the premises, particularly from the reception area, while concealing the views of the road and the industrial area.

This approach guarantees real discoveries and moments of surprise, for an unforgettable stay through history, nature, and wine.

The existing buildings have been restored and slightly adapted to the needs of the project.

The sober and discreet extension links the whole, offering lightness and transparency as a bridge between the main building and the Rustico, providing reflections of the landscape on the terrace side, without disturbing the impression of the historic ensemble.

On the vineyard side, the extension features a monolithic sandstone architecture, sober and elegant, in perfect harmony with the materials of the existing buildings. The complex blends into the hillside, in close relationship with the vineyards.

The project is organized into several entities:

Reception areas

The extension, which acts as a hinge between the two buildings, provides a large reception area, stronglylinked to a terrace between the two historic buildings and the surrounding landscape.

The extension space is embellished with an interior garden, offering the scents and aromas of aromatic plants, strongly linked to the kitchen, whose enhancement reflects a desire for a gastronomic approach to the project.

Access to the lower level offers the experience of descending into a large wine cellar, complete with a tasting area and direct access to the vineyards for a greater wine experience in this exceptional region.

The newly created spaces have a contemporary, refined, and elegant atmosphere.

On the ground floor of the historic main building, there are lounge, reading, and games areas. There is also an office with direct and independent access from the main entrance, allowing for a mix of functions and uses during residents’ stays, if necessary.

The architectural atmosphere proposed for the main building highlights the elements of the historic construction, preserving the materials and adding a touch of enhancement.

The redesigned spaces contrast with the other reception areas created, allowing for a variety of atmospheres and a diversity of architectural experiences, while respecting the history of the building.

The activity, relaxation, and wellness areas

in the Rustico are centered around a pergola connected to the reception area and the large outdoor terrace, offering a hammam, sauna, gym, and massage rooms, as well as indoor access to the swimming pool and spa.

The architecture and interior ambiance of the Rustico are highlighted. The creation of the hammam and sauna, as well as the integration of the swimming pool and spa, give a contemporary touch to the whole.

Private family spaces

As in the past, the private family living areas are located on the upper floor of the main building. The layout allows for a master suite, several children’s bedrooms, a large shared bathroom, and a laundryroom/dressing room. The entire area is served by an elevator, complementing the staircase access.

From this floor, you can access the space above the roof, offering a place for contemplation and meditation, with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Guest and staff areas

Located in the lower part of the site, nestled into the hillside, guests will find welcoming spaces close to Podere Santa Margherita. Staff will also find a dedicated functional space here.

Technical rooms

Located in the lower part of the extension and on the mezzanine of the Rustico, as well as in the attic of the main building, the technical rooms allow for the management of all the site’s technical needs.

Set in the idyllic countryside just outside Florence, this blend of heritage and innovation project breathes new life into a historic estate composed of a traditional rustico and a noble manor house. Rich in Tuscan character, both buildings are carefully preserved and thoughtfully reimagined to accommodate a contemporary lifestyle without losing their soul. The centerpiece of the transformation is a striking architectural intervention: a glass pavilion housing an indoor-outdoor swimming pool that bridges history with modern design.

The front elevation of the manor house remains largely untouched—an intentional act of reverence. Its symmetrical composition, traditional masonry façade, and central arched entrance retain the dignified, austere beauty typical of historic Florentine countryside villas. The aged stonework, with its varied textures and patina, is preserved and restored using traditional lime-based mortars. The subtle window frames in neutral tones enhance the historical aesthetic without drawing undue attention.

A gravel path, flanked by mature olive trees, leads to the main entrance, reinforcing the classical axial approach often seen in Renaissance villas. This building will continue to serve as the heart of the property, housing private living spaces, bedrooms, and communal areas filled with natural light and framed views of the Tuscan landscape.

The second building is the original rustico, a former agricultural structure with robust stone walls, rustic arched openings, and an intimate human scale. It has been converted into a flexible living and leisure space that connects directly with the outdoors. This structure now holds a dual role: preserving traditional craftsmanship while embracing new spatial functions like wellness, gym and entertainment.

The exterior features large arched openings infilled with glazing, subtly modernized with cortensteel frames that complement the earthy tones of the original stone. Climbing ivy and curated Mediterranean landscaping—lavender, grasses, and wildflowers—help integrate the structure into the surrounding garden terraces.

The most transformative and visually arresting feature is the glass addition seamlessly attached to the rustico as a bold contemporary insertion. This minimalist yet monumental pavilion uses cortensteel frames and large transparent surfaces to create a lightweight counterpoint to the heavy stone walls of the original building. The structure echoes the rhythm of the existing arches, referencing tradition while creating something distinctly contemporary.

Inside this glazed volume lies a stunning pool. The pool extends partially outdoors, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. Lounge chairs and sunbeds surround the water, offering tranquil spaces for relaxation with uninterrupted views of the lush, terraced gardens and vineyards.

The glass structure is carefully sited to respect the original form of the rustico, enhancing it rather than overpowering it. By using a restrained material palette and geometric purity, the pavilion maintains architectural integrity while enabling year-round use of the pool area, with operable panels offering ventilation and openness in warmer seasons.

The surrounding gardens are designed to reflect the traditional Tuscan landscape but with a refined and curated approach. Native plant species—olive trees, lavender, rosemary, and ornamental grasses—are arranged in geometric beds that define outdoor rooms. These include a shaded lounge area beneath sail-like fabric canopies and sunken seating areas framed by corten borders and wild planting.

Paths of compacted earth and stone weave between the buildings and outdoor zones, creating a gentle transition from formal to informal spaces. This carefully choreographed movement through the property invites exploration while ensuring privacy and serenity.

Inside, the manor house and rustico interiors will be treated with a design ethos of “warm minimalism.” Original elements such as exposed wooden beams, terracotta tiles, and stone walls are retained and enhanced. Modern interventions—understated lighting, natural lime plasters, oak joinery, and neutral textiles—create a cohesive and serene interior palette.

The manor house serves as the primary residence and as an accommodation for guests, whom have a private area of the house. With expansive living, dining and leisure areas beneath restored timber beams, the manor house welcome and embrace everyone.

Lighting design plays a crucial role, both inside and outside, with concealed illumination washing over textured walls and gently highlighting architectural elements by night.

State-of-the-art technologies, including underfloor heating, concealed climate systems, and smart home controls, will be subtly integrated into the fabric of the buildings. Sustainability is a guiding principle, with energy-efficient insulation, solar panels (discreetly placed), and rainwater harvesting systems supporting the property’s low ecological footprint.

This project is not merely a renovation; it is a masterclass in architectural balance to ensure a timeless dialogue. The dialogue between the storied stone walls and the contemporary glass pavilion is neither confrontational nor nostalgic—it is harmonious. It respects the legacy of rural Tuscan architecture while embracing the needs and aesthetics of 21st-century living.

From the olive grove-framed manor house to the corten-framed swimming pavilion, every element is considered, intentional and rooted in a deep respect for place. It is a home that lives in the past and future simultaneously—an elegant sanctuary on the hills of Florence.

Project Overview

The project is rooted in the pursuit of a profound dialogue between architecture and the landscape, where the buildings become an extension of the natural surroundings while respecting the historical essence of the site. The design embraces the principle of maximum connection between interiors and the greenery, creating openings that frame the hills and gardens, while preserving the original spatial logic and proportions of the historic structures. The intention is not only to conserve the memory of the place, but also to express its identityin a contemporary language, where originality complements tradition rather than imitating it.

The Manor House

The Manor House is conceived as the main residence, its design deeply anchored in the typology of casa leopoldina, known for symmetrical layouts with a central tower and vaultedground floors. Designed as a sophisticated and elegant space, it preserves the original circulation, with wide stairs and defined proportions of the rooms. The ground floor accommodates a generous living area comprising a living room, dining space, and kitchen with pantry, complemented by a wine cellar and storage in the basement. An office, accessible from both outside and the upper floor, ensures privacy and flexibility of use. The first floor is dedicated entirely to bedrooms: three master suites with private bathrooms and two additional rooms supported by a shared bathroom. At the top level, an observatory opens the residence to the sky, offering a contemplative place for stargazing.

Material recovery and reuse are at the heart of the approach, with terracotta tiles carefullyremoved, cleaned, and relaid, and lime-hemp plaster applied internally to preserve the authenticity of the facades while enhancing insulation. The architecture makes deliberate use of Tuscan stone, terracotta, lime plaster, and locally sourced wood, celebrating the warm, rustic palette of the region. Additions within the Manor House are minimalist insertions: steelstaircases and metalic elements that clearly distinguish the new from the old, embodying the principle that what is added must not imitate but respect and contrast.

Rustico

The Rustico building is designed as a social and leisure hub, conceived in close connectionwith the surrounding landscape. Its functions include a pool lounge, wine tasting area, summer kitchen, sauna, gym, and changing facilities. The spatial layout preserves the proportions of the original structure, while a 1960s brick extension is reinterpreted with distinct finishing materials to differentiate it from the historic fabric. This gesture ensures a visual separation that simultaneously reinforces the unity of the ensemble. Designed as a more raw and authentic space, the Rustico contrasts with the sophisticated elegance of the Manor House, offering a complementary character that enriches the overall composition of the estate.

Landscape Design

The landscape enriches the estate with thematic gardens that provide sensory and ecologicaldiversity: aromatherapy, herbal and butterfly gardens, as well as intimate green refuges. Eachoutdoor space is conceived as a destination, offering a layered sequence of atmospheres and experiences. Carefully designed lighting highlights architectural details and vegetation, transforming the estate after sunset and creating a remarkable atmosphere during the evenings.

Sustainability

Sustainability underpins the entire project. Materials are repurposed and creativelyreimagined, such as reclaimed terracotta tiles and demijohn bottles used as decorative lamps. Rainwater harvesting is integrated to irrigate the gardens, while LED lighting highlights both the architecture and the vegetation with minimal energy use. Permeable paving supports natural water cycles, and native plant species minimize irrigation and chemical inputs. Natural ventilation is enhanced through the adaptive reuse of the Manor House tower, which functions as a windcatcher, channeling cool air into the building and reducing reliance on mechanical systems.

Altogether, the Florence Hills project is envisioned as a balanced interplay between preservation and innovation, where historic architecture regains life through careful restoration and is enriched with thoughtful additions. The project celebrates Tuscan. materiality, ecological responsibility, and the timeless bond between architecture, culture, and landscape.

1. Vision

Vita Nuova is a rebirth of Podere Santa Margherita — a careful restoration that celebrates the heritage of its Lorraine-era fabric while enhancing it for contemporary life. The project respects the dignity of stone walls, timber beams, and rustic volumes, while creating new connections and experiences that elevate daily life into the center of the architectural journey. The proposal seeks to rediscover and celebrate the existing architecture — and offering a way of living where time, space, and community are experienced in a continuous flow.

2. A Journey Through the Day

The estate is not defined by a single space but by the sequence of many. It is a house to be lived, walked, and rediscovered at every turn. Paths and terraces guide the movement across the estate, turning the act of walking into the essence of the experience — connecting people with themselves, with others, and with the Tuscan landscape.

Morning begins in the gardens and terraces, where paths weave between orchards and kitchen gardens. Movement is natural, part of daily life, a gentle exercise rooted in landscape. Breakfast flows into the dining room, where a discreet glass panel in the floor reveals the wine cellar below — an architectural gesture that connects everyday meals with the legacy of the vineyards.

By midday, life gathers outdoors. Between the Manor House and the Rustico, shaded loggias and terraces form spaces for encounters: an outdoor living room where family and friends share long lunches, play bocce, or prepare aperitivo. Here, hospitality extends naturally into the landscape.

The afternoon invites rest and renewal. Inside the Rustico, a spa offers serenity with sauna and steam rooms, and a pool that extends outward to become an infinity edge oriented toward the rolling Chianti hills. The merging of indoor and outdoor, water and horizon, creates continuity between architecture and landscape — a moment of pause that restores both body and mind.

Evening returns to conviviality. The main living spaces frame encounters with family and friends, while the dining area leads naturally to the after-dinner lounge. Here, glimpsing the wine cellar through the floor, guests descend into the vaulted space below — a cellar rooted in tradition, aligned with the vineyards outside, transforming the sharing of wine into an unforgettable memory.

At night, the house rises to its luminous crown: the Sala della Meridiana. Beneath the colombaia tower, this room gathers light and silence, offering a space for reading, meditation, or quiet conversation. It connects the estate to its Florentine heritage, while offering a timeless retreat for reflection.

3. Lessons from Longevity

The design of Vita Nuova considers lessons drawn from the Blue Zones, where life is lived longer and fuller. These principles are embedded in subtle ways throughout the estate:

– Move Naturally: The paths, gardens, and terraces invite walking and gentle daily activity.
– Nourishment: The kitchen garden and dining areas emphasize simplicity, seasonality, and the ritual of shared meals.
– Community and Belonging: Outdoor gathering spaces, loggias, and living rooms foster togetherness.
– Reflection and Renewal: The spa, the infinity pool, and the Sala della Meridiana provide spaces for pause, contemplation, and restoration.

These are not abstract ideals but lived experiences, woven into the architecture and landscape. The estate becomes not only a place to stay, but a place where life feels richer, more meaningful, and more enduring.

4. Heritage and Continuity

Respect for heritage is at the core of the intervention. The project restores the original Leopoldine character of the Manor House, removing later additions that diluted its dignity. Materials are preserved and celebrated: stone walls with their patina, timber beams with terracotta infill, terracotta and stone flooring, brass details that frame windows and arches with quiet elegance.

Yet the intervention is not nostalgic. New elements — a glass floor, an infinity pool, discreet outdoor shading — are introduced with simplicity and restraint, ensuring continuity rather than rupture. The result is an estate that feels both ancient and renewed, authentic and contemporary.

5. A Life to be Shared

Vita Nuova is more than a villa: it is a family estate designed for continuity across generations. The Manor House serves as the main residence, with spaces for family-centered life. The Rustico complements it with hospitality and wellness, offering independence for guests and moments of renewal for all. Together, they form a unified whole, bound by outdoor living spaces and paths that make the landscape part of the experience.

This unity ensures that whether lived privately by the family or shared with visitors, the estate remains coherent, elegant, and memorable.

6. Conclusion

The rebirth of Podere Santa Margherita is a celebration of heritage, landscape, and the gift of daily life. It is a house to be lived in, to be walked, to be shared — a place where movement, encounters, and reflection flow naturally from one space to another.

In Vita Nuova, the path itself becomes the center of the experience. It is not about the destination but about the journey: the walk through gardens and terraces, the pauses for rest, the joy of wine and food, the quiet of reflection.

Here, architecture transforms daily life into an elegant lifestyle of longevity. Simplicity becomes beauty, memory deepens, and every return feels like a new beginning.

This project tells the story of a rebirth: the careful renovation of a historic farmhouse set on a gentle hill between Siena and Florence, in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Here, amidst vineyards, olive groves, and cypress-lined paths, the architecture reconnects with its roots, regaining the quiet dignity of its origins while opening itself to a new life of comfort and refinement.

The design philosophy was guided by respect: respect for the existing structure, for the craftsmanship of local traditions, and for the timeless atmosphere that defines this unique landscape. The main farmhouse was preserved and restored, allowing its authentic character to emerge once again. Its façades respect the historic rhythm of proportions, with the original windows and openings faithfully maintained in both size and position. Natural materials – local stone, terracotta bricks, and wood – were carefully selected to reinforce the bond between architecture and its place of origin, ensuring a continuity of textures and tones across old and new.

The annex, which had been a later addition without architectural value, was demolished and rebuilt with new coherence. The design respects the pitched roof of the original structure, while introducing wooden-framed openings that lend warmth and material honesty. In this renewed volume, two exclusive functions find their home: a boutique wine cellar with tasting room – an evocative space celebrating Tuscan winemaking culture – and a wellness area with spa, conceived as a retreat for relaxation and sensory immersion.

Inside the manor house, the ground floor is devoted to hospitality and social life. Spacious living areas open towards the gardens, their interiors shaped by natural light and tactile finishes that recall Tuscan tradition. The guardian’s residence is discreetly integrated into this level, maintaining the integrity of the domestic atmosphere. The first floor is dedicated to the sleeping quarters, where serene atmospheres and refined details create a timeless sense of comfort and understated elegance.

The landscape design plays a fundamental role, conceived as an extension of the architecture. The gardens unfold in thematic sequences: the aromatic and sensorial garden, designed to stimulate the senses; the Mediterranean garden, where evergreens and blossoms recall the spirit of the region; the olive grove, a symbol of Tuscan identity; and the avenue of colors, which guides the visitor through seasonal rhythms of bloom and fragrance. Towards the industrial area at the edge of the property, the existing vegetation has been preserved as much as possible, reinforced by new plantings of cypress trees that provide both visual and acoustic screening. Completing the composition, the swimming pool is integrated seamlessly into the geometry of the garden – a mirror of sky and light that offers moments of leisure and contemplation amidst the Tuscan hills.

This renovation is more than preservation: it is the creation of an atmosphere. A place where history, nature, and architecture coexist in balance, where the memory of a rural past is elevated by refined spaces of hospitality and comfort. A project that reflects the timeless essence of Tuscany, rediscovered through authenticity, material honesty, and beauty.This project tells the story of a rebirth: the careful renovation of a historic farmhouse set on a gentle hill between Siena and Florence, in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Here, amidst vineyards, olive groves, and cypress-lined paths, the architecture reconnects with its roots, regaining the quiet dignity of its origins while opening itself to a new life of comfort and refinement.

The design philosophy was guided by respect: respect for the existing structure, for the craftsmanship of local traditions, and for the timeless atmosphere that defines this unique landscape. The main farmhouse was preserved and restored, allowing its authentic character to emerge once again. Its façades respect the historic rhythm of proportions, with the original windows and openings faithfully maintained in both size and position. Natural materials – local stone, terracotta bricks, and wood – were carefully selected to reinforce the bond between architecture and its place of origin, ensuring a continuity of textures and tones across old and new.

The annex, which had been a later addition without architectural value, was demolished and rebuilt with new coherence. The design respects the pitched roof of the original structure, while introducing wooden-framed openings that lend warmth and material honesty. In this renewed volume, two exclusive functions find their home: a boutique wine cellar with tasting room – an evocative space celebrating Tuscan winemaking culture – and a wellness area with spa, conceived as a retreat for relaxation and sensory immersion.

Inside the manor house, the ground floor is devoted to hospitality and social life. Spacious living areas open towards the gardens, their interiors shaped by natural light and tactile finishes that recall Tuscan tradition. The guardian’s residence is discreetly integrated into this level, maintaining the integrity of the domestic atmosphere. The first floor is dedicated to the sleeping quarters, where serene atmospheres and refined details create a timeless sense of comfort and understated elegance.

The landscape design plays a fundamental role, conceived as an extension of the architecture. The gardens unfold in thematic sequences: the aromatic and sensorial garden, designed to stimulate the senses; the Mediterranean garden, where evergreens and blossoms recall the spirit of the region; the olive grove, a symbol of Tuscan identity; and the avenue of colors, which guides the visitor through seasonal rhythms of bloom and fragrance. Towards the industrial area at the edge of the property, the existing vegetation has been preserved as much as possible, reinforced by new plantings of cypress trees that provide both visual and acoustic screening. Completing the composition, the swimming pool is integrated seamlessly into the geometry of the garden – a mirror of sky and light that offers moments of leisure and contemplation amidst the Tuscan hills.

This renovation is more than preservation: it is the creation of an atmosphere. A place where history, nature, and architecture coexist in balance, where the memory of a rural past is elevated by refined spaces of hospitality and comfort. A project that reflects the timeless essence of Tuscany, rediscovered through authenticity, material honesty, and beauty.

Of this meticulous conversion of a traditional Tuscan farmhouse into a villa of refined luxury, the primary design intention has been one of profound respect for the existing patrimony. The intervention is guided by a principle of minimal subtraction and sensitive restoration, ensuring the architectural narrative of the original structure remains the dominant voice. This philosophy manifests itself in several key aspects:

The project, therefore, is not an act of erasure but of revelation. It is a dialogue with history, where contemporary intervention is inserted with a light touch, always seeking to highlight the inherent beauty and integrity of the original Tuscan farmhouse.

This project begins with a simple premise: preserve the heritage and vernacular outside, and enrich the senses within through intimate yet bold interventions. The manor house becomes a generous host – part hospitality residence, part collector’s home – while the Rustico transforms into an annex for daily rituals (exercise, bathing, listening, resting), each framed by light, water, and landscape. Together, they form a calm, sophisticated ensemble that fosters presence of mind and discreet luxury in rural Tuscany.

          Respect the building’s bones, but shake them up a little, too.

The manor house is the project’s heart and offers the promise of welcome. Entering the first floor will feel like stepping into a collector’s home. Communal programs unfold fluidly: food and wine tastings in the kitchen; a game of chess in the game room or a simple nap on the daybed. Circulation is intuitive, guests or host move from library to kitchen, out onto the courtyard, and back again, always in contact with art, craft, and landscape.

In order to achieve this flow by removing the second staircase and connecting the two units of the house with a single staircase, reestablishing the symmetry of the casa Leopoldina. The kitchen is opened up to the dining experience, while food is prepared in the back service kitchen.

Furniture mixes antique finds with contemporary of the shelf and bespoke items, creating rooms that reinterpret classical elements into 21st century modernity, and are definitely not shades of beige. Our recurring dialogue sets rustic textures against hyper-refined materials, placing stainless steel and raw silk next to century old timber beams and plasterwork.

The second floor offers four high-end, en-suite bedrooms that rival Four Seasons residences. These suites balance historic character with crisp con- temporary in-builts: integrated wardrobes and vanities, discreet lighting, and custom work desks. Each en-suite is designed to feel personal, window seats with long views, generous bathrooms and variations in color scheme and textures. The space above the hallway on the second floor is used to integrate hidden AC-ductwork which provide complete comfort to each suite.

The former pigeon tower is opened up, forming a vertical void above the central staircase and allowing light to filter down while simultaneously acting as a beacon for the estate.

As a case study for character and collection, the theme of canines runs throughout all areas. This is not a gimmick but a curatorial thread that binds art, objects, and moments of humour. Establishing a motif invites guests to discover and smile while giving the house a unique identity and a curatorial direction.

Concealing and Revealing

The Rustico’s architectural intervention is a play of opening and closing – revealing the new program, connecting it to the manor house, and choreo- graphing privacy as needed.

We accomplish this in four complementary strategies:

I. At the western end a pool is inserted perpendicularly within the barn through a large arched opening. This allows guests to swim both within a ruin and under a blue sky. The incision sets up axial movement to the barn’s north side and turns the pool into both spatial hinge and sensorial anchor. A smaller arch serves as a pathway between the new established north side and the central courtyard.

II: We continue to open the barn, adding another large arch to frame the “sensory space” directly onto the pool, making water the room’s central focus; no matter when doing yoga or when listening to a record of fine music. The last arch, at the very west end of the barn, grants the fifth suite of the property a private garden prospect. At dawn, low sun glistens into the suite; at night, the arch acts as an aperture, distinguishing the Rustico’s atmosphere from the manor’s more classical rooms. Furnishing here is kept more contemporary and loose.

III: Wave-cut wood shutters are set behind the steel and glass frame windows within the existing arches. They offer a means of closing along the courtyard edge. The shutters also offer a new means of privacy, so when closed, residents can occupy the garden’s center in seclusion and when open, the barn becomes porous, with breezes and views threading through.

IV. To connect the rooms to the pool side we open the north side with a downward facing wave of arched clerestory windows, which admit cool light to set the mood and itterate the overall theme of arches.

Programmatically, the barn is a multi-use, multi-sensory space. Mornings can begin with yoga; mid-day offers wellness programs; and at any hour, the space can transform into a listening room. Here, an audiophile-grade system is a central element that affects how guests taste wine, wind down, and be present. Seating is low, extra comfortable, and arranged to encourage contemplative looking toward the water’s surface, rather than the typical high-table posture. The result is an atmosphere that replaces formal wine tastings with a more intimate experience.

          Landscape and Site Strategy

In front of the manor house is a welcoming garden that frames canonical views of the manor within its historic landscape and discretely accommodates parking. The west side of the manor house becomes a public court and the primary access for guests to reach programs across both buildings. The east side is a service court offering access to the basement’s utility, technical, and laundry rooms kept out of sight and operational.

Large new trees are placed strategically and augment summer shade at unique natural points of interest, for example the lookout, overseeing the olive grove of the property. Between manor and barn, there is a courtyard planted as a wildflower garden with loose, seasonal flora that is low-maintenance and low irrigation. At its center stands a pergola whose structure recalls the wave-cut shutters of the Rustico, with white linen shades to reflect light and add atmosphere. This is the property’s social heart: a place to watch sunrise and sunset, or simply drift between reading, conversation, and rest.

The project will involve the restoration of an nineteenth-century Leopoldino farmhouse, a type of rural dwelling typical of the Val di Chiana in Tuscany.

The main features of this building type include loggias on the ground floor, an oven inside the building, a dovecote, and a space used as a stable.
The project site contains two buildings: the main house and an adjacent rustic annex located at the rear of the property.

Over the centuries, the main building has undergone changes in both layout and façades. The aim is to restore the villa to a single residential unit by removing later additions and realigning the openings. The three arches of the main façade will be resized after analysing the curvature of the existing arches in the masonry. These arches will also be recreated on the opposite side to establish a continuous visual connection between the two gardens.
For the exterior, following an analysis of the colours of contemporary buildings, a light-toned plaster finish will be chosen. For both the exterior and interior finishes, raw earth (Matteo Brioni type) will be used, a material made from clay and aggregates sourced from various regions of Italy. The colours will result from mixing different clays without the use of natural or artificial pigments. This sustainable approach will ensure greater living comfort.

The main entrance is centrally located in the floor plan, dividing the house into two blocks. Upon entering, one arrives in a wooden-ceilinged space crossed horizontally by a raised walkway leading to the main staircase. This platform has been designed to divide the rooms longitudinally. Moving along this raised path towards the north-west side leads to the living area, characterisedby small brick vaults and a double row of arches separating the living room from the dining area. The arches can also serve as an exhibition space, where thin metal structures will support paintings and sculptures.

The choice of materials will respect the history of the place. On the ground floor, local stone will be used for flooring, while the new architectural element of the walkway will feature a raw earth finish. The same finish will be used for the walls and arches, in warm and earthy tones.
On the opposite side of the room, crossing the walkway, one reaches the fireplace, reinterpreted in a contemporary way but kept in the same position as the original. Next to it, the area where the remains of the old oven were found will be restored to its original function.

This fireplace will serve as the central element of the north-east wing, separating the kitchen and its service areas from a more intimate space intended for reading or breakfasts, also with service facilities.
Directly opposite the entrance, beneath the staircase, a curved wall will create a small guest bathroom, where a freestanding washbasin will be placed on a round podium.

The first floor will accommodate the bedrooms. The master bedroom will have an en suite bathroom with a wall of integrated wardrobes and a walk-in closet positioned opposite the bed, accessible through a pivoting and folding panel system. A spiral staircase next to the entrance will lead to an initial boudoir area. Continuing up, one will reach the top of the dovecote, converted into a bathroom where a round shower will stand in the centre of the room, offering views of the rolling hills through a double-light window.
The same floor will also have two additional double bedrooms with walk-in closets and bathrooms, plus a room that can be used as a home office or a children’s playroom.
The chosen materials will reference tradition: terracotta for the floors and raw earth for the walls. Only the installation method and textures will provide a modern interpretation. The furnishings will be simple and essential in design.

Back on the ground floor, the north-east arches will open into the garden. Here, tall vegetation positioned on a slope will enclose a nearly hidden central patio where the owners can enjoy moments immersed in nature. This space, paved in terracotta, will be reached via a small staircase linking the main house to the rustic annex.

In the annex, the large arches will be left open, recreating a portico with a sequence of transverse arches. The interior spaces will be created by setting the glass wall back and placing new symmetrical openings on the opposite side. The building will be divided into two parts. The new north-west portion, rebuilt after demolishing later additions and integrating new walls into the remains of the original ones, will be constructed in stone but with a different size and arrangement of pieces, making the architectural intervention recognisable.

This space will host a guesthouse with a kitchen, a central service block, and a bedroom overlooking the grove. The other part of the building will be dedicated to a space with a counter and storage for hosting cooking classes, wine tastings, or local craft workshops, as well as a wellness area with a gym, sauna, and indoor pool with a glass wall opening onto the garden. On the north-east side, a lagoon-style pool in concrete and raw earth will be built on the natural slope, where the infinity edge will reflect the surrounding vegetation.
The masonry will remain exposed stone, while the flooring will be made of thin terracotta strips.

The project places strong emphasis on the garden. Considering the location of the building at the top of a small hill and surrounded by dense woodland, the design envisions a series of “green rooms” along the path from the main gate to the villa. These will be enclosed by trees and lower vegetation, continuing the natural landscape.
These secret gardens are intended as places for rest and reflection before reaching the farmhouse.
The chosen trees and shrubs will be native species: myrtle, wild lavender, and broom for the rear garden, while maritime pines, linden trees, lilies, and foxglove will frame the gardens at the entrance side.

This proposal, The Alchemy of Place, is an architectural narrative that explores the emergent property born from the respectful dialogue between the historical essence of Podere Santa Margherita and contemporary design intervention. Our core concept is that true luxury lies not in mere addition, but in synthesis—where the interaction of old and new components creates a value greater than their sum: an profound, almost palpable silence and a unique state of contemplative calm, the very essence of La Dolce Vita.

Our foremost commitment is to the soul of the place. The design meticulously preserves and highlights the authentic DNA of the Casa Leopoldina: its original volumetric and planning structure, the rough-hewn masonry, open structural elements, the powerful topography, and local materials like pietra serena and traditional terracotta. In strict adherence to Article 17.e of the Technical Implementation Standards (TIS), later incongruous additions, such as the 20th-century annex on the Manor House’s rear facade, are removed to restore the building’s architectural integrity and historical narrative.

The master plan is choreographed as a journey from public to private, guiding the guest through a gradient of experiences. The estate is divided into three distinct zones:

The Manor House’s program is a direct response to its existing morphology. The left wing, originally open and permeable, now houses the communicative spaces: a living room, study, and relaxation area. The right wing, historically compartmentalized, contains separated yet connected kitchens (resolving noise and odor issues), a dining room, and a tasting room. The second floor is reserved for private quarters, containing the master bedroom, children’s room, guest bedrooms and a library. A whimsical, yet respectful, intervention transforms the historic dovecote into a “treehouse”—a sanctuary for creativity for both children and adults, accessible from the children’s room.

The Rustico is adaptively reused as a SPA wellness center. Its eastern orientation is leveraged for a morning yoga studio, complemented by a gym, changing rooms, sauna, and hammam. A later period annex, extended with a minimal new volume, houses a warm pool and cold plunge. The high roof volume allows for a mezzanine level accommodating a tea lounge, massage room, and a bathroom, maximizing functionality without altering the original footprint. A new terrace attaches to the Rustico, featuring a barbecue zone, jacuzzi, and a breathtaking infinity pool that dissolves into the Chianti landscape.

Materiality is the primary language of this dialogue. For restoration, we use exclusively authentic, local materials: pietra serena, Cottosenese ceramic tiles, traditional plaster, and terracotta, utterly excluding synthetic finishes. New interventions are clearly distinguished through the use of corten steel, smooth mineral plaster, limestone, and expansive glass. This honest contrast does not compete with history but rather frames and highlights it, in full accordance with the principles of scientific restoration.

This project is tailored for a discerning client seeking not just a residence, but a transformative experience. It offers multiple layers of sensory and emotional engagement: the social vibrancy of the wine amphitheater, the authentic connection to the land in the chef’s garden, the ultimate relaxation in the SPA, and the awe-inspiring views from the pool. The emergent quality of this synthesis is a unique, profound silence—an “active stillness.” This is not an absence of sound but a space for heightened perception: of light, material, landscape, and self. It is a state of inspired calm, generated precisely by this alchemical fusion of historical authenticity and contemporary clarity, offering a true redefinition of luxury.

There are landscapes that do not simply exist, but are composed, like music or poetry. The Tuscan hills are such a place: lines and curves softened by time, drawn by generations who cultivated not only the land but also its beauty. Florence Hill rises within this theatre of earth and sky, not as an object imposed, but as a scene revealed.

“The Tuscan countryside was built as a work of art by a refined people… It is incredible how these communities shaped their rural landscapes as if beauty were their only concern.” — Henri Desplanques

The approach is itself a prelude. The undulating terrain folds into dwelling, the slopes of soil becoming walls, the ridges dissolving into roofs. Water mirrors extend the countryside in shimmering reflections: immaterial landscapes made of light and shadow, where clouds drift across stone and vines tremble upon the surface. Out of this play of illusions and continuities emerges the Manor House—severe, austere, yet luminous in its silence. It stands with the calm authority of memory, an architecture that belongs not to a single time, but to the eternal rhythm of the land.

Beside it, the rustic wing speaks another language: once humble, now reimagined with the clarity of archetype. Its volumes echo the geometry of barns and granaries, yet its new skin shimmers like a chameleon, expanded aluminum shifting hue with every hour of light. Here modernity does not replace the rural world; it leans into it, weaving itself as another layer in the long story of this landscape.

Inside, the house unfolds with quiet generosity. Rooms are not mere enclosures, but frames for experience. A salon stretches beneath high ceilings, its air filled with voices and light. A kitchen opens onto the cellar, a place of tasting and remembrance, where wine tells the tale of the very soil outside. Bedrooms turn toward the horizon, each one a retreat shaped by views and by silence.

Beneath this poise, another world hums discreetly. Technical rooms and staff quarters, hidden from sight, sustain the serenity above. Through a secondary stair, life moves unseen, leaving the upper spaces free to breathe their elegance. In this house, even what is concealed participates in harmony.

And always the landscape calls. Gardens dissolve into terraces, terraces into vineyards, vineyards into the infinite curve of the hills. Paths meander among olives and lavender, inviting the wanderer not to arrive but to linger. A bench in shade, a wall warmed by sun, a sudden opening toward the valley—each becomes a stage where the traveller encounters both land and self.

The language of materials binds it all together. Rough timber beams, terracotta, clay plaster: the textures of the countryside. Against them, marble and metal: sharper notes, precise and contemporary. By day, spaces glow in whites and soft tones, alive with conviviality. By night, shadows embrace the rooms, wrapping them in intimacy and repose. Between these two worlds lie the loft and the spa: thresholds of calm where water, stone, and timber conspire to slow the pulse, to soften time.

Florence Hill is thus not only a dwelling, but a way of inhabiting the Tuscan spirit. Each element—the slopes turning into walls, the mirrors of water, the austere house, the renewed rustic wing—is part of a scenography, a composition written in land, light, and memory. To dwell here is not to occupy a building, but to become part of a landscape—one that reflects, transforms, and remains within those who walk it.

“ Two rival cities — Florence and Siena — agreed to settle their territorial disputes with a race. At dawn, when a rooster crowed, each city’s knight would ride toward the other. Florence chose a black rooster, starved and angry, which crowed much earlier than Siena’s. The Florentine rider won, claiming most of Chianti.’’

The legend of the black rooster captures more than a story; it reveals how the land between Florence and Siena has long been shaped by conflict. Though separated by only a few kilometers, the two cities have always stood apart: politically, culturally, and architecturally. Chianti, caught in between, became not only a border, but a place marked by duality — a land defined by two opposing identities.

This project begins at that point of tension — and imagines a place where Florence and Siena no longer compete, but meet. A place that holds both identities: the Manor house draws from the clarity and structure of Florence, while the Rustico reflects the earthiness and intimacy of Siena. Between them, the landscape draws from Chianti. Symmetry and irregularity, precision and roughness are not reconciled, but allowed to coexist.

The references to Renaissance Florence, mystical Siena, and the legend of the Black Rooster bring cultural depth, elegance, and sophistication to the architecture. Yet, just as essential was creating a space where today’s cosmopolitan, demanding travelers disconnect, reflect, and feel present. High-quality craftsmanship invites guests to pause, appreciate, and touch materials; view corridors frame the landscape, encouraging stillness and attention. These tactile, visual, and spatial gestures define a more essential kind of luxury, rooted in slowness, care, and connection to place.

The Manor House draws inspiration from the architectural and visual language of Renaissance Florence — a culture of order, proportion, and constructed space. Renaissance architecture emphasized symmetry, geometry, and clearly defined forms. These same principles are deeply embedded in the typology of the Casa Leopoldina, whose symmetrical massing, axial organization, and spatial clarity echo the ideals of the Florentine Renaissance. Drawing from this logic, the Manor House features a layout based on clarity and alignment, with carefully framed views.

Each intervention was meticulously calibrated to amplify the Podere’s inherent qualities — not to transform, but to clarify and enhance what was already present. The project echoes the spatial intelligence of Renaissance painting, particularly the use of linear perspective to create depth and orientation. Internal walls were thickened to accentuate perspective, depth, and shadow; doors and windows were re-aligned to create framed views that connect inside and outside. Like a Renaissance composition, the architecture reinterprets and accentuates existing elements to organize moments with unexpected spatial reveals that offer a quiet sense of surprise as one moves through the house.

The interiors of the Manor House reflect two distinct spatial attitudes, each drawing from different facets of the Florentine Renaissance. The ground floor expresses clarity and composure: a palette of natural tones with soft hues of blue and green, punctuated by touches of deep red, evokes the richness of Renaissance paintings. Materials like stone, lime plaster, and brushed metal blend traditional and contemporary sensibilities. Furniture is defined by clear silhouettes, accentuated with chrome details and precise proportions. A mix of carefully selected designer pieces and bespoke furnishings reinforces axial alignments and perspective views, acting almost as spatial markers within the layout.

In contrast, the first floor embraces introspection. Inspired by the Renaissance studiolo, rooms are lined with wooden panels — a tailored system that adapts to each space, becoming desks or cupboards where needed. The wood brings warmth and tactility, emphasizing craftsmanship and slowing the pace of experience. Furniture here shifts in tone: slim, refined wooden pieces are paired with heavier, grounded forms, creating a quiet tension between lightness and weight. Curved corners soften the room’s perimeter, reinforcing a sense of enclosure and comfort. This layered approach allows the house to unfold gradually, offering unexpected reveals and giving each floor its own rhythm of retreat and presence.

The Rustico, which is transformed into a wellness area, draws inspiration from the sensuality and warmth of Siena. The design is inspired both from the Sienese School of painting – a tradition defined by rich color, mystical undertones, and an indifference to naturalism – and the Bottini di Siena; the medieval water channels whose mysterious carved passages influenced the spatial rhythm and material character of the interior.

This sensibility informs the atmosphere of the rustico. The architecture is earthy and warm, but slightly elusive. Toward the northeast, the original brick grille windows were reopened, allowing in slivers of light that shift throughout the day like in an underground chapel — a quiet reference to Siena’s Bottini. The light feels indirect and elevated, creating a hushed, contemplative atmosphere. Along the building, a series of shallow water basins at times become showers, at others a place to rinse feet or simply to watch water moving slowly. The water softens the space, deepens the mood, and adds a layer of ritual to the architecture. The interior–exterior pool creates continuity with the landscape, allowing water to blur the boundary between inside and out.

The material palette is warm and grounded: terracotta tones, wood, local stone, and hand-finished surfaces that feel aged and tactile. Furniture pieces are rougher in silhouette, with irregular forms and visible grain.

The landscape becomes the space where Florence and Siena meet — not in conflict, but in continuity. The landscape is carefully shaped not only to echo the undulating character of Chianti, but also to buffer the site from the nearby highway — through elevation shifts, green density, and program placement — ensuring both privacy and acoustic comfort.

The design of the landscape favors inside-outside connections and in order to create a dialogue between the buildings, it strikes a balance between symmetry and organic growth — blending the rational clarity of the Manor House with the earthy softness of the Rustico.

A patchwork of vineyards and woodlands

The resilient hilltop estate watches over

Stone, terracotta, plaster and wood

Water is woven through the landscape

In the heart of Chianti, Podere Santa Margherita stands as a fine example of Leopoldine agricultural architecture. A pair of existing structures – the Manor House and the Rustico – form a beautifully utilitarian composition. Sitting on a prominent hilltop, the manor house offers exceptional views towards the south west. A patchwork of vineyards, arable farms, olive tree orchards and woodland are draped across the rolling hills beyond.

Architecturally, the approach is to restore and celebrate the existing structures with honesty about their original configuration, as well as the multitude of adjustments that have been made over the years. Restoration acts as a realisation of the site’s inherent and existing qualities. It encourages engagement with the landscape, the history, and the production of the region.

The Manor House is reinstated as a single dwelling, with the removal of partition walls and the separate staircase. The core circulation stair is removed and opened up to allow a connection through from front to rear. A new, freestanding metal staircase is installed with a set back from the rear wall, allowing light to permeate through the floor plan.

At first floor level, new ensuite shower rooms are contained within timber structures, allowing them to stand off from the original fabric. Original window openings are reinstated where appropriate. The principal bedroom suite is positioned to the south west corner, with wide views and plentiful sunlight.

The tower is now accessed by a new staircase, and is opened up to take advantage of the best views of the countryside. It functions as a lookout tower, as well as a quiet sitting space, away from the busier parts of the house.

The basement spaces now open directly onto the south terrace. A changing room is provided for the nearby swimming pools. Additionally, a wine cellar is created to sample and celebrate the produce of the region.

The Rustico supports the Manor House, offering accommodation for a housekeeper or guests, as well as a series of spaces focused around the storage, preparation and enjoyment of food. These spaces are linked to the adjacent vegetable garden, as well as the vineyard below the hill. The original timber structure is retained, whilst a section of roof above the dining space is removed and replaced with glass. This brings daylight through the timbers, expressing the structure and filling an otherwise dark space with natural light.

The prominent hilltop site requires the landscape design to work with and around its topographical features. The extensive views invite a wider reflection on one’s place in the landscape. The existing site is heavily defined by topography, distant views, a plateau of grass, steep wooded banks, and the vineyard beyond. The proposal celebrates each of these components, and brings them together to enhance the experiential character of the site, expressing the emotions of the landscape itself.

The primary approach to the Manor House is through a walled garden, which partially screens views of the house as one arrives at the site. As one approaches, the front elevation is gradually revealed, along with glimpses of the wider landscape. Within the walled garden is the primary swimming pool, which takes advantage of the direct sunlight from the south, and is directly connected to the primary entertaining space in the Manor House. A secondary, shallow pool is created adjacent to the courtyard. This projects into the landscape, allowing one to become immersed in the surrounding woodland, as well as the views of the vineyard below.

The woodland is shaped to allow views towards the south west, whilst screening the industrial area to the east. A path meanders its way through the dense trees, allowing for moments of quiet and solitude, in what is otherwise a very open landscape. This path traces the perimeter of the site, allowing one to fully orbit the site at both high and low levels.

The courtyard space between the Manor House and the Rustico forms an artificial interpretation of the natural context, creating a play between the traditional formal flower garden, and the agrarian nature of the site.

Water is of utmost significance in the agricultural operation of the surrounding land, as an essential component in the growing of crops. In a modern luxury context water takes on a different role, providing spaces for relaxation, exercise and play. The landscape strategy combines these two functions, demonstrating a direct link between the two.

Reclaimed water from the pools and ponds within the site, as well as rainfall, is collected and treated via natural filtration, and then reused for irrigation in the vegetable gardens, woodland, and vineyard. This water reuse not only conserves resources but also enhances the visual narrative of the site – creating reflective water features, lush greenery tied to water pathways, and a living story of seasonal change.

In the landscape, visualising the flow of water from the pools into the terraced ponds and gardens offers an immediate and intuitive awareness of a simple system – the water irrigates the terraces and nourishes plants. Using landforms, combining artificial gestures with natural terrain, creates visual interest while directing attention back to the trees and plants of the site.

Our design for Podere Santa Margherita is a response to its unique location in the heart of Chianti. The estate is situated on a hill south of Florence, embedded in a landscape of vineyards, olive groves, and gentle slopes. The project site offers impressive panoramas that shape the very essence of the project. The site plan illustrates how we respect the existing topography and historic structures while creating a coherent ensemble for contemporary living and exclusive hospitality.

Ensemble and Main Idea

The estate is composed of four main buildings, each with a clearly defined function, together forming a harmonious whole. Our goal was to preserve the historic identity of the Podere while complementing it with new uses and architectural additions to secure a sustainable future.

Manor House

The Manor House is the heart of the estate. Organized over two levels, it accommodates the central functions of community life as well as private retreats.

•​On the ground floor, the kitchen and dining area are located on the east side, while the west side hosts two living rooms connected by a central bar under a vaulted ceiling. This arrangement creates an open, airy, and comfortable atmosphere, both convivial and inviting.

•​The first floor is home to generous bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. These rooms are conceived as quiet retreats, shaped by authentic materials, understated elegance, and discreet luxury.

The interiors of the Manor House express a dialogue between tradition and modernity: light natural stone floors, whitewashed plaster surfaces, and warm wood recall the Tuscan Case Coloniche, while clear lines and refined details introduce a contemporary lightness.

Rustico with Spa and Office

The Rustico – originally a secondary structure of the estate – has been reinterpreted as a Spa. Here, sauna, hammam, cold plunge, lounge areas, and a pool are arranged in direct relation to the green surroundings. Interior and exterior blend seamlessly into a unified experience of architecture and nature.

On the upper floor, above the gym, we placed a dedicated office space. The close proximity of training and working generates a synergy between physical activity and mental focus, turning the Rustico into a place of regeneration and productivity at the same time.

Extension with Guest Units

Connected to the Rustico is the extension, designed as an independent guesthouse. Each small maisonette features a living area and private bathroom on the lower level, with a separate bedroom above. The interior style is open and modern, providing privacy and autonomy for the guests while maintaining a spatial and visual connection to the overall ensemble.

Service Building

The service building, positioned at the entrance of the estate, accommodates the garage, technical rooms, and staff quarters. By separating these functions from the main living and hospitality areas, we establish a clear hierarchy that ensures smooth operations while preserving the serene atmosphere of the estate.

Courtyard and Outdoor Spaces

The redesigned courtyard is the spatial centerpiece of the ensemble. It connects the various buildings and forms a sheltered central space. A pergola provides shade, a reflecting pool introduces a meditative calmness, and terraced outdoor areas create both structure and atmosphere.

The landscape design follows the topography of the hill. Gardens and pool areas extend along the terraced terrain, linking the architecture to the Chianti countryside. Wide arched openings frame vistas of the Tuscan hills, strengthening the dialogue between built form and landscape. Arrival areas, access, and parking are organized functionally, while the gardens and living terraces convey generosity and openness.

Materiality and Atmosphere

The material palette is deeply rooted in the local context: light natural stone floors, whitewashed plaster, and timber define the interiors, while natural stone walls characterize the exteriors. These elements recall the Tuscan vernacular, while a clear architectural language and refined detailing translate the historic substance into the present.

The atmosphere of the interiors is defined by discreet Mediterranean luxury: bright, airy spaces, authentic materials, and contemporary comfort standards merge into a setting that is at once elegant and timeless. Large arched openings capture the surrounding landscape, uniting authenticity, modern comfort, and Mediterranean elegance.

Conclusion

With the design for Podere Santa Margherita, a holistic ensemble emerges that unites tradition and contemporary architecture. The historic identity of the estate remains visible, yet is complemented and reinterpreted by new functions – living, spa, guest units, and service facilities.

We understand the Podere not as an isolated object but as a living organism, where history, landscape, and modern ways of living converge. For the owners as well as for their guests, the project creates an exclusive retreat shaped by Tuscan authenticity, natural beauty, and contemporary luxury.

The design demonstrates how tradition, landscape, and modern living can be transformed into a sustainable and harmonious vision. Podere Santa Margherita becomes a living place – defined by history, nature, and a new interpretation of luxury hospitality.

Set within the rolling landscapes of Barberino Tavarnelle, in the heart of the Chianti region, Florence Hills is a project that redefines the way of living in the Tuscan countryside. The Podere Santa Margherita, once a rural farmstead now in decay, is envisioned not only as a restored estate but as The Tuscan Rebirth – a contemporary reimagining of heritage, tradition, and Mediterranean life.

The project draws inspiration from the timeless scenery of vineyards, olive groves, and cypress-lined ridges, and from the typology of the Case Coloniche, the rural houses that once structured Tuscan life. Rather than freezingthem in nostalgia, Florence Hills embraces adaptive reuse, giving new dignity to the existing Manor House and Rustico while weaving them into a new architectural narrative of luxury, comfort, and authenticity.

The Manor House: A Living Tribute to Tuscan Tradition

The ground floor of the Manor House is conceived as a living homage to the Podere’s agricultural roots: a place of sharing, tasting, and conviviality. On one side, generous family lounges and a formal diningroom open directly onto the panoramic terrace. On the other, a more intimate wing houses a fireplace corner, a wine bar with tasting cellar, a study and a TV lounge, recalling the rural tradition of gathering around food, fire, and wine.

All spaces extend seamlessly to the outside, where a vast terrace leads to a 25-meter swimmingpool overlooking the vineyards and the distant hills. The first floor hosts four spacious bedrooms with en-suitebathrooms, including a master suite, while a painting studio crowns the house, offering an inspiring viewpointover the valley—an homage to Tuscany as both a land of agriculture and a land of art.

The Rustico: A Private Wellness Sanctuary

Facing the main house, the Rustico has been entirely reimagined as a private wellness sanctuary. Itsprogram includes a massage room, a Turkish bath, a relaxation lounge with jacuzzi, a sensory shower, and a fitness area. With its intimate design and use of warm natural materials, this building becomes a counterpart to the Manor: where the first celebrates conviviality, the second embodies retreat and rejuvenation.

Outdoor Experiences: Life Between Architecture and Landscape

The landscape is not a backdrop but a sequence of destinations. A covered lounge with a central fire pit creates a convivial evening setting beside the pool, while daybeds offer quiet relaxation under the sun. A cocktail corner, linked to the Manor’s wine bar, animates the poolside, and a dining pavilion placed among the vineyardsallows guests to experience meals surrounded by nature. Each of these spaces expresses a different moment of the Tuscan day, from sunrise breakfasts to starlit gatherings.

Conservation and Sustainability

Florence Hills is also a project of conservation and sustainable innovation. The restoration strategy isbased on the principle of reuse: the original stones and bricks of the Podere are carefully recovered and reintegrated into the new structures wherever possible, ensuring continuity of material identity. New interventions make use of local resources—wood, stone, and traditional finishes—reducing environmentalimpact while celebrating Tuscan craftsmanship.

Water management plays a crucial role. Rainwater is harvested and reused to irrigate the gardens, which are planted exclusively with local species adapted to the Mediterranean climate, minimizing the need for artificialmaintenance. Energy strategies are equally discreet and effective: the corten-clad extension of the Rustico isequipped with solar tiles, invisible to the eye yet capable of heating the wellness pools and reducing the estate’sreliance on external energy sources.

In this way, the project is not only a rebirth of heritage but also a commitment to responsible living, where luxury and sustainability are intertwined.

Guest & Staff Dependencies

Two annexes complete the estate: a private guest suite, offering intimacy for visitors, and a keeper’shouse, providing accommodation for staff and housing the estate’s technical equipment. These ensure both hospitality and autonomy, without compromising exclusivity.

A Holistic Vision

Florence Hills answers the competition brief by combining faithful restoration with adaptive reuse and visionary programming. The Manor House becomes a family home rooted in conviviality, the Rustico evolvesinto a sanctuary of wellness, the landscape offers a sequence of outdoor destinations in harmony with the Chianti hills, and the dependencies provide flexibility and practicality.

Every decision reflects the project’s guiding values: respect for tradition, innovation in design, environmentalresponsibility, and a holistic vision of contemporary Tuscan living.

In essence, Florence Hills is more than the restoration of two rural buildings. It is the rebirth of a wayof life—convivial, artistic, rooted in the land yet open to the future. By weaving together architecture, landscape, conservation, and sustainability, it captures the authenticity of the Chianti countryside while offering a new model of contemporary luxury.

Florence Hills is, above all, The Tuscan Rebirth—a project that honors memory while shaping tomorrow, transforming Podere Santa Margherita into a destination that is both timeless and forward-looking.

The reconstruction of this Tuscan villa is a dialogue between the dignity of history and the lightness of present-day life. Set on a gentle, drop-shaped hill, the house has never been homogenous, because its form has changed and evolved over the centuries. Its identity lies precisely in this everywhere present diversity. Like the god Janus, the villa has two faces: one looking to the past, and the other opening towards the future.

The front garden embodies the historical face of the house. The symmetrical facade, with its stone solidity, bears the character of a country manor house, carrying a sense of nobility and ceremony. In front of it stretches a wide terrace overlooking a Renaissance-inspired garden, an expansive lawn, and a subtle water feature that emphasizes the villa’s central axis. In the distance, the garden gradually blends into a path set at the compositional core of the estate, leading further into the landscape. The front garden is a dignified entrance space, where the house receives its guests and recalls its aristocratic tradition.

The rear courtyard has a different atmosphere – relaxed and intimate. The facade, composed of varied openings, seems to shake off strict rules, allowing the house to breathe freely and reveal its true face. The apertures are stylistically distinguished as either original or added. A long, partially extended pool dominates the courtyard, opening onto views of the quintessential Tuscan scenery. The space is complemented by a membrane shading with seating. Here, the villa sheds its ceremonial mask and transforms into a refuge of calm and everyday comfort.

The rustico, once a purely utilitarian building, extends the rear courtyard as another dimension of contemporary living. Its austere stone shell with arches recalls the past, while the interior comes alive with new energy: a fitness area, sauna, and indoor pool, together with the added greenhouse volume that completes the composition of the structure.

The manor house’s floor plan likewise acknowledges difference and clear division: the left wing, newer and more open, stands in contrast to the right wing, older and more segmented. This contrast is evident on the ground floor, where the left side hosts a large living and recreation room, while the right side contains the functional essentials – kitchen, pantry and dining room with lounge. The right wing is also connected to the wine cellar via a spiral staircase, located where the original oven once stood. On the upper floor, this division is equally legible: the owner’s apartment in the left wing forms a generous open space, while the right wing is divided into two separate guest units. Both wings, however, maintain their central compositional character. At the heart of the manor house, the communication core remains, enriched by a small tower that provides gentle, ambient lightning to the central space.

The new architectural interventions are intentionally restrained and precise. Long concrete walls, clean lines, orthogonality, and clear proportions follow Renaissance geometry, yet speak in a contemporary language.

Thus, the estate has two main faces:

Front – authentic, historical, representative.

Rear – relaxed, modern, oriented towards comfort and daily life.

The reconstruction does not attempt to forcibly merge them, but rather to let them complement one another. The result is a harmonious coherent composition that honours the past while bringing new life – a place with both tradition and contemporaneity, and thereby its own unmistakable identity.

The project, entitled Dimora Cortea, was conceived around the idea of redefining the centrality of the courtyard as the true connective and representative heart of the entire intervention. What was once merely a service space hidden between the Manor House and the rustic annex has now become the generative nucleus of the architectural and distributive choices, the place from which relationships are reordered and new balances are established between the existing structures and their landscape. From this concept derives the name Cortea, which recalls both the presence of the court and its new role as fulcrum of spatial, functional, and perceptive connections.

The design approach was based on the intention to preserve the original typological features of the building, respecting its proportions, lines, and historical value, while integrating them with strategies aimed at strengthening both its architectural quality and its dialogue with the surrounding context. From the earliest stages, the intervention focused on the Manor House internal distribution, restoring unity and coherence to the building. Over time, the structure had been divided into two separate housing units, leading to the addition of secondary staircases and circulation paths that disrupted the original layout. This condition was reversed by removing the incongruous partitions and service stairs, thereby restoring centrality to the original distributive system and, in particular, to the main staircase, which once again assumes the role of spatial and perceptive fulcrum.

The guiding idea of Dimora Cortea matured precisely in the reinterpretation of the courtyard. The analysis of the façades revealed that the former entrance on the southern side was more suitable for a private and convivial use, while the northern façade required a renewed formal significance. Accordingly, the new main entrance was positioned to the north, reinforcing the visual and functional dialogue with the rustic annex and giving greater coherence to the hierarchy of the façades. In this framework, the swimming pool became a key architectural element. Its placement along the western front, aligned with the rustic annex, was a deliberate choice, driven by the intention to establish a stronger relationship between the two buildings and to avoid solutions that would weaken the spatial dialogue. Placing it to the south would have merely established a connection with the main façade, without generating any relation to the annex, while locating it to the north would have compromised the renewed dignity of that front. The western placement not only reinforces the axis with the annex but also takes advantage of the natural slope of the site and enhances the best panoramic view of the property. In this way, the courtyard and the pool define two complementary poles, one on the northern front more representative and elegant, and one to the west more convivial and centered around water and sociability.

The pool’s presence also suggested the need for a stronger connection with the house’s interior spaces. For this reason, the existing east–west axis, defined by the main corridor, was emphasized and transformed into a central compositional element. This axis was reinforced through the introduction of large linear glazed openings at both ends, turning it into a visual and spatial link directly connecting the residence with the pool and, consequently, with the rustic annex. This choice defined a clearer and more orderly environment, generating a vital flow along which the everyday life of the house unfolds. The renovation of the basement follows the same principle of compositional coherence. The new staircase connecting this level with the main corridor was aligned with the east–west axis, ensuring spatial and perceptual continuity. In this way, a direct connection was established between the pool, the annex, and the underground spaces, which now host the spa. This programmatic choice completes the functional scheme and enriches the residential experience, introducing a contemporary dimension of wellness and comfort.

Overall, Dimora Cortea pursued a balance between conservation and innovation, on one hand maintaining the typological essence and strength of the pre-existing structures, and on the other introducing targeted interventions on distribution, openings, and spatial relations. The historic staircase remains the core of the north–south axis, while the enhanced east–west axis becomes the new protagonist, introducing a spatial dynamic that connects, in a coherent and linear manner, the manor house, the rustic annex, the swimming pool, and the surrounding landscape. The result is a unified and legible architectural organism, capable of combining respect for historical memory with the demand for new representativeness, reinforcing the dialogue between architecture, context, and contemporary living.

The project focuses on the restoration of Podere Santa Margherita, an abandoned rural estate located on the top of a hill in the heart of Chianti region, surrounded by vineyards. Historical value of the buildings, combined with the charm of the landscape, makes this intervention a unique opportunity to revive and honour the Tuscan rural heritage.

The goal is not only to preserve, but to reinterpret. The design draws inspiration from the FlorentineRenaissance: humanism, architecture, and art become the creative foundation of the project. A painting created specifically by the designer for this project – human face immersed in an imaginary city – represents the soul of this vision, where the historic arches of the buildings and wine, a symbol of the territory, find new expression.

The intervention preserves as much of the original structure as possible, removing only later additions that are inconsistent with the original character. In the rustico, the portion made of perforated bricks will be transformed into a contemporary volume clad in copper and glass, creating a dialogue with the ancient stone. The traditional arch becomes a key feature even in the contemporary language, reinterpreted as a portal. A project that combines respect, vision, and Tuscan identity.

The intervention aims to bring the existing house back to life as the main residence. The interior layout features living spaces on the ground floor and bedrooms on the upper floor.

The perimeter walls will be insulated and finished with beige cocciopesto, a natural, breathable material consistent with the historic context. All windows will be replaced with new wooden frames: green on the outside to respect the original aesthetic, white on the inside to enhancebrightness. Exterior doors, except for the main entrance, will be transformed into window-doors to improve the connection with the outdoors and allow more natural light in.

The exposed beam ceilings will be preserved and restored where needed. All floors will be replacedto accommodate a modern technical package: structural reinforcement, technological systems, low-profile underfloor heating, and a microcement floor. The ground floor will feature a warm bordeaux tone, while the upper levels will be finished in a soft beige. A ventilated crawl space will be createdbeneath the living room and rustico to improve hygrothermal comfort.

The living room, located on the left side of the palace, will be a welcoming space with beige sofas, a piano, and a wall dedicated to the painting that inspired the project. Beside it, a column of anthropomorphic vases and a coffee table echoing human forms will reinforce the artistic identity of the space.

The existing arches separate the living room from the dining area, both preserving stone walls to maintain material authenticity. In the right wing, a satin glass kitchen will be installed, complete with a matching lunch area and a convenient pantry.

Overlooking the courtyard, there will be a liqueurs tasting room and a bathroom—both furnishedwith curved elements inspired by the shape of the arch, in keeping with the dominant stylisticlanguage.

On the first floor, five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, each with its own unique identity: from Murano glass brick feature walls to custom curved furniture, and wallpaper reinterpreting the project’s signature painting in different color schemes. The attic space under the ridge will be usedfor storage, while the colombaia will be transformed into a hobby room designed for moments of solitude, creativity, or focus.

The central staircase will extend downward—first providing direct access to the courtyard, and thencontinuing to the basement with the technical room.

The rustico behind the main house will be dedicated to wellness and relaxation. A small wine cellarwith tasting area will connect to the main residence via a blooming “wine path”. The wellness zone will include a changing room, bathrooms, and access to various modules featuring a sauna, Turkishbath, sensory shower, jacuzzi, and a relaxation area with a large glass wall overlooking the outdoor pool.

The pool will be finished in mosaic tiles reflecting the symbolic project painting, this time reimagined in shades of blue.  

At the upper floor of the modern volume will be caretaker’s apartment, accessible via an externalstaircase.

Following the masterplan inspired by the stylized shape of a human face, the entrance to the property opens from the “neck,” where a technical room and the parking area are located. These act as distributive axes. “Cheekbones,” guide towards the main access point. The center of the forecourtbecomes the “lips,” drawn with red flowers, while a bench placed at the base of the “nose” leads symbolically to the main entrance door. The flowerbeds in front of the two wings of the building form the “eyes,” with central trees, giving the impression that the villa emerges from the imagination of a human figure.

This mirrored concept continues at the back: the courtyard features the “flowered eyes” and the “lips” at the entrance of the wine cellar, with their shape also echoed in the interior flooring.

The surrounding landscape unfolds gradually—from the central lawn to tall grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and eventually to tall trees, including typical Tuscan cypresses and scarlet maples, whosedeep red hue recalls the color of wine. The vegetation becomes denser towards the highway for acoustic and visual protection, while it opens gently toward the hills and vineyards, enhancing the view and the project’s integration with the Chianti landscape.

The outdoor space completes the architectural intervention, echoing the symbolic elements alreadyfound in the interiors and furnishings. The heart of the area between the two buildings features a swimming pool with a relaxation area, adjacent to a convivial space inspired by traditional Tuscancourtyards: a large round table embraces a central flowerbed, creating a place for socializing.

Outside the dining room, under an arched pergola immersed in greenery, more intimate table offers a space for quiet, reserved moments.  

At the heart of the landscape design is a strong, symbolic concept: a stylized human figure that guides the spatial organization of the entire project.