The intention behind the design is to restore the values closely tied to this place—authenticity, tradition, and respect for the natural environment. Through minimal interventions, we have allowed the authentic elements to stand out, revealing the original character. Our goal is for the area itself to tell its story and to uncover the unique spirit of this place.

The site is located in a setting deeply connected with nature. Instead of the current green areas, we propose planting vineyards and orchards, thus reconnecting the grounds with the local environment, nature, and traditional farming. The vineyards will flow seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, creating a sense of harmony between the site and its natural context.

This is a place where moments of silence and relaxation merge with activities that deepen the connection to nature. Visitors can rest by the water or beneath the tree canopies, or engage in hands-on experiences such as growing crops or producing local goods. They are invited to try traditional forms of agriculture for themselves. These activities link the past with the present, creating a bond between people and the land—between rest and discovery.

The activities and spaces we have proposed are designed to foster diversity. Every visitor will find a personal way to recharge and find peace here. The result is a place that inspires return—a space where people can find energy, inspiration, and harmony.

We envision the villa as the living heart of the site—a place that fosters relationships and cultural connection. Instead of traditional hotel functions, it offers spaces for social gatherings, creative work, and cultural events. The villa retains its historical character while serving as a venue for tastings, exhibitions, concerts, and weddings.

Accommodation is designed to immerse guests in the authentic atmosphere of an agro-hotel. Two lodging options are proposed: maisonette apartments with private outdoor access and gardens, and two-story cabins with fully openable façades that place guests directly among the vineyards. Both types expand into the surrounding greenery, enhancing the connection to nature.

The restaurant centers around an open kitchen where guests can observe meal preparation. It is spread across three levels: a public dining area on the ground floor, a multifunctional event hall above, and a rooftop lounge with panoramic views.

The agricultural building offers an interactive experience, allowing visitors to observe and taste local products like olive oil, cheese, or wine, and engage with the producers.

The former storage building now hosts a sustainable ecosystem with free-roaming animals and two greenhouses. Guests can pick and taste fresh produce and learn directly from farmers.

Relaxation zones are thoughtfully integrated across the site—whether by the pool, in the orchard, on the vineyard-enclosed court, or in the wellness—offering each visitor a personal and peaceful retreat.

“This project feels most like what the villa may have been like set within vineyards, orchards and pathways into a cultivated landscape dotted with pavilions. It has a modest brief as a hotel for retreat, with the added functions for gathering, creativity and cultural experience. The restaurant with open kitchen is at its heart, speaks to the connection of the villa and its agricultural setting, authenticity of farm to table, conviviality. In carefully crafted renders, the design sensitively approaches that balance between minimal intervention and new, conveying a clear vision of harmony among people, nature, and history.”

“Through minimal interventions that let authentic elements stand out, the project creates a romantic atmosphere of authenticity, tradition, and respect for nature.”

What if a new historic layer could breathe new life into the Venetian Villa?

Located in the heart of the Venetian countryside, Villa Meneghetti complex embodies the richness of a centuries-old heritage, whose past, shaped by silk production and rural life, now combines with a respectful ambition for renewal. Our rehabilitation project aims to transform this historic villa into a hospitality center, blending rural tourism with the valorization of the “genius loci”, all while maintaining a living memory.

Our approach is structured around three major conceptual threads: the water axis, the landscape axis, and the built axis. Each one engages with the existing context, amplifying the site’s intrinsic qualities.

The built axis ensures respect for the existing fabric, in keeping with the spirit of the Venice Charter. We articulate the introduction of a new historical layer through a readable, contemporary architectural language, illustrated by the creation of a floating footbridge in red steel, or “red thread,” which nods to the villa’s former silk industry and the signature color of the existing exterior carpentry. This light footbridge connects the currently fragmented buildings in a harmonious way, allowing the complex to “breathe” and encouraging gentle circulation. It offers a sensory and artistic journey, enhanced by aromatic gardens, interactive sculptures, and play areas for all ages.

The water axis finds its origin in the immediate proximity of the Lusore River, a founding feature of the site and a true leitmotif of our design process. Inspired by this presence, we incorporated a series of water channels along the façades, extending the ancestral dialogue between the villa and its natural surroundings. This intervention creates a true water loop, both reinterpreting the tradition of the Italianate garden – where water defines the composition – and reviving the site’s historic productive vocation. Water is thus expressed in three ways: decorative, with patterned channels enlivening the grounds and reflecting light; productive, through a hydroponic farm fed by collected water; and playful, via a natural swimming basin where visitors can enjoy the simple pleasures of nature.

Finally, the landscape axis structures the outdoor spaces into two complementary entities: a wild garden to the west, populated by indigenous species (cypresses, umbrella pines, germander, etc.), and a more orderly Italian garden to the east, marked by pathways, fountains, and groves. The preservation of local species reflects a special attention given to what already exists.

The program ensures a clear separation between public and private spaces: the ground floor is dedicated to communal functions (lobby, restaurant, tasting area, boutique, workshops…etc.), while the upper floor or “piano nobile” is reserved for rooms connected by the footbridge. Every intervention prioritizes the conservation of remarkable architectural features – painted decorations, historic walls – reinterpreted with care through new latticework and contemporary furniture, relying on an in-depth analysis of the site’s color palette.

Our ambition is to offer a place where hospitality meets authenticity and relaxation, making every stay at Villa Meneghetti a memorable experience at the crossroads of history and tradition.

“A well-balanced project —coherent and respectful of the genius loci with a restrained contemporary character. Water, landscape, and built axes amplify the site’s morphology, linking spaces with lightness, harmony, and deep contextual care.”

Concept

Keeping the spirit of the past, the project gives new life to agricultural facilities, turning them into an agritourism complex. Guests will be able to touch the heritage, enjoying the rural idyll,participating in traditional crafts and tasting local delicacies. This is not just a vacation, but an immersion in culture and historical traditions. We offer not just a stay at the hotel, but to become part of a history, to feel like a farmer and enjoy the simple joys of rural life surrounded by picturesque landscapes.

Visit scenarios

The project provides two visit scenarios. The first scenario is aimed at maximum relaxation and immersion in the world of luxury.

Having settled in one of the 10 rooms of the villa, you can enjoy all benefits. A private garden cafe will be open for guests, and next to the villa, in the former cellar and granary building our unique spa is located. The spa’s calling card is a large pool that covers both the interior of the building and goes outside through open spaces.

The second scenario of staying in the complex is aimed at full immersion in the world of agriculture and nature of the territory. The second class of rooms, which are located in former agricultural buildings, is intended for guests who want to turn their stay into an amazing experience associated with various interactive events and activities.

During your stay in the agrotourism complex, you will be able not only to relax, but also to learn more about the history of the region, work independently in the garden, take part in master classes and cook unique dishes according to old recipes.

Agrotourism

Project pay great attention to the intangible heritage of the territory, namely, its past associated with the development of agriculture. We offer the territory on the southern side of the complex to be used again for growing crops. In the former fruit warehouse, we placed a wine restaurant with a veranda, as well as a tasting room for local delicacies and a shop for local products.

We propose leaving the former warehouse on the east side as an open space for various events, culinary workshops and meetings. On the ground floor of the former drying room for silkworms, we placed a restaurant open to both residents and guests of the complex. The restaurant provides an open part next to which there is a central place of the square, where musical evenings can be held.

Heritage

The rich history of the place, as well as the stunning architectural heritage dictated a minimal degree of intervention in the territory. We sought to preserve as much as possible not only the planning structure of the complex, but also the authentic elements of the buildings. Our propose is to leave villa in its exalted view and reveal its potential in interior solutions that do not contrast with the historical view, but subtly complement it. We also work carefully with the other objects – do not change their volumetric structure and do not dismantle parts of the buildings, but carefully adapt them to the new life of the complex.

“The project offers an immersive experience in the heritage, agriculture, and rural traditions of the site, enhanced by minimal interventions and the indoor–outdoor pool flowing through the existing buildings.”

The core idea of the project comes from the sundial on the church in Mirano’s historical center, whose poetic inscription reminds us that time governs both natural cycles and human life. Living in tune with these rhythms has long defined Venetian rural culture, manifested in both the landscape and architecture. Inspired by this, we adopted the traditional Venetian calendar as a temporal framework and translated its rural rituals as participatory moments rooted in time and tradition.

As a physical projection of this idea, we created an axis mundi, a symbolic center of the world, emerging at the intersection of two conceptual connections that frame the experience of place. First, the central building, the former cellar and granary, connects the active piazza and the contemplative garden along the east–west axis. Positioned between them, it creates a fluid transition from gathering to retreat.The workshop pavilion, once the fruit storage, defines the second, more symbolic connection, linking nature and human action. It marks this threshold, guiding guests from observation to participation in seasonal and culinary rituals.

The piazza is designed as a vibrant communal space, hosting events, workshops, and open-air gatherings that shift throughout the year, from harvest celebrations to small performances and teaching moments. To support this flexibility, we developed a series of modular outdoor furniture from reused materials on the site that can adapt to various uses and be easily reconfigured as needed. These elements are stored in the barchessa, which maintains its historical role as a storage facility.

Facing the piazza, the old drying room for silkworms is now a two-level public building. The upper floor hosts a flexible space for cultural events, workshops, and community gatherings, occasionally welcoming local residents alongside guests. On the ground floor, a farm-to-table restaurant connects directly to the garden and the pavilion, where guests pick ingredients, explore preserves, and begin the cooking process. The experience concludes at the restaurant, where raw elements are transformed into shared, organic meals.

To the west, the garden offers a slower, more introspective side of the guest experience. Designed as a green refuge, it evolves gently throughout the year, guided by the rhythm of nature. At its center, the mulberry tree recalls the villa’s silkworm legacy, while figs, rosemary, lavender, and persimmons mark time through scent, texture, and seasonal change. This living calendar surrounds guests with a continuous, sensory awareness of time.

At the center of the project stands the Villa Meneghetti, not just a historic structure, but the heart of the guest experience. Carefully restored, it holds together the narrative of past and present. Internally, the layout has been reconfigured to support new functions, guest rooms, and shared living spaces, while preserving the villa’s architectural character. Finishes, proportions, and material choices echo the original atmosphere, balanced with contemporary comfort. The villa becomes the host, welcoming guests into a place where history is lived, not observed.

Like the sundial that inspired it, the project traces the passing of time, not to mark it, but to inhabit it.

“A concept that celebrates rural rituals, creates a vibrant, ever-changing piazza with adaptive reuse design, and shines through a clear, evocative presentation—an inspiring fusion of place, time, and community.”

Our concept draws deeply from the rich and layered history of the villa. This building has always been a place of refuge, transforming over time from a retreat for nobles, to a girls’ shelter with a small school empowering young women, and later becoming a business dedicated to the production and storage of silkworms. Throughout its journey, the villa has consistently embraced a nurturing role – much like the cocoon that protects a caterpillar until it emerges as a butterfly. Inspired by this metaphor, we chose to name our project “Il Bozzolo,” meaning “The Cocoon” in Italian, to honor its story of protection, growth, and transformation.

Our main concept revolves around two pillars: history and heritage. We aimed to preserve the authentic character of the building by maintaining the function of each space as it once was. For example, the cellar and granary buildings, which historically operated as a school on the ground floor and sleeping quarters on the first floor, were reimagined as guest rooms to maintain their original purpose of shelter and accommodation.

The villa itself, once a summer retreat for nobles, is designed to reflect the elegance of that era. We integrated materials, patterns, and textures that evoke the noble lifestyle, while preserving the bare old walls and original fresco paintings in the reception to celebrate its timeless beauty.

We were inspired by the villa’s heritage and the contrasting roles it played throughout history. This idea of contrast is translated into our design using two main materials: steel beams and silk fabrics. Steel, bold and structural, contrasts with the softness and delicacy of silk, yet both share the same intrinsic qualities of durability and resilience – just like the villa itself.

To overcome structural limitations, we employed technology in a subtle yet effective way. For instance, we integrated an LED screen at the reception entrance to create an illusion of double height, resolving the issue of low ceiling and enhancing the spatial experience without compromising the historical integrity of space.

Our vision for Il Bozzolo is to renew the villa so it continues to play its role in society – as a retreat for families, a local market for farmers, or an open courtyard that hosts vibrant community activities. In doing so, we ensure that this building remains a place of gathering, shelter, and transformation, honoring its past while opening its doors to a meaningful future

“Il Bozzolo is a richly layered proposal that evokes a sense of heritage and romance. It creates intriguing spaces that invite exploration and imagination.”

In the past, Venetian aristocrats escaped the high humidity of the lagoon by heading to Villa Meneghetti. There, they were greeted by a mild climate, a peaceful atmosphere, and olive trees — referred to as the “green jewels” of the landscape.

The Olive Branch project is a proposal that regenerates existing agricultural facilities upon this layered heritage, transforming them into an agriturismo space that connects traditional olive farming with contemporary architectural programs.

In this project, the olive tree is not merely a crop. It functions as a spatial, material, and cultural symbol, acting as a medium that organically connects architecture, landscape, and the various activities that take place on site. Reinterpreted as a construction material, the olive tree forms the foundation for lightweight structures and interior modules, bringing nature into indoor spaces while expressing a gesture of respect for Italy’s agricultural traditions.

The entire design is inspired by the typology of the traditional Italian agricultural warehouse known as the magazzino. Historically open and flexible spaces that accommodated a variety of tools and produce, these warehouses are reinterpreted in a contemporary way. Within their spacious interiors, modular units crafted from locally harvested and processed olive wood are inserted. These “functional boxes” serve diverse purposes — such as accommodation, workshops, and tasting rooms — situating architecture within the context of local resources and production stories, while softly blurring the boundary between nature and the artificial.

The central warehouse and the space once used for silk production are reconfigured into an olive oil production facility and a restaurant. Visitors can experience the entire process — from olive harvesting to pressing and tasting — and gain a direct understanding of the cultural context of local agriculture. Apertures and amenity spaces that open naturally to the outside extend the experience into nature, while newly designed circulation paths enable an organic connection between the existing building and the contemporary extensions.

Olive Branch integrates sustainable strategies into the heritage of Italian rural architecture to reshape the communal landscape of the region. This project presents a new spatial narrative where the past and present, agriculture and architecture, coexist — not as a simple restoration, but as a modern rebirth achieved through reinterpretation.

Metamorphosis is not a change of shape, it is a change of being.

From an aristocratic estate to a girls’ school and silk production facility — Villa Meneghetti has evolved in purpose over the centuries, undergoing far more than a simple sequence of changes. Its transformations are a testament to the vitality of architecture — its power to adapt, renew, and endure without losing its true essence. Like one of the chrysalises that once grew on its grounds, it passes through one form to be reborn in another. Wesuggest to embrace this image — not by setting the old and new in opposition, but by uniting them. Rooted in the villa’s own story, the butterfly becomes a guiding symbol, bringing past and future together to create a space where one inspires the other. In this way, the villa is given a future that is vibrant, alive, and filled with encounters, ideas, and light.

Strategy

Located in Campocroce, Mirano — just 90 minutes from Venice, Treviso, and Padova — Villa Meneghetti is ideally placed to attract regional and international travelers seeking authenticity, culture, and tranquility. As the Veneto region welcomes over 73 million tourists annually, and interest in meaningful, sustainable travel grows, the villa offers significant potential for hosting retreats, cultural programs, and creative hospitality. Revitalizing this historic site as a multifunctional resort will not only protect its architectural legacy but also support the local economy, building on the momentum of nearby projects like Villa Bembo.

Functionality

The new design honors Villa Meneghetti’s history while reimagining it as a dynamic cultural and wellness destination. Five distinct spaces define the project: a boutique hotel, spa and wellness center, restaurant, exhibition gallery, and a lush greenhouse housing tropical plants and, of course, butterflies. Two modern glass elements delicately connect the historic structures: a portal links the restaurant and gallery, and a transparent greenhouse encloses the courtyard while shielding the swimming pool from view. On the far side of the spa, the grounds expand into a park shaped by organic lines and contemporary sculptures. Both appear effortlessly natural, reinforcing their harmony with the landscape.

Visual Concept

Rooted in Venetian tradition, the villa’s material and color palette references the works of Titian and Veronese. Rich hues — Venetian red, emerald green, golden ocher, and deep blue — appear in patterns and monochromatic surfaces. Interiors are wrapped in darker, more intense tones that create a cocoon-like atmosphere. The exterior, by contrast, uses lighter, sun-faded colors that evoke the passage of time. Traditional craftsmanship meets modern form, creating a space where the past and present coexist with elegance and purpose.

Art

Art is central to the villa’s identity. Thematic sculptures, paintings, and graphic works bring the concept of metamorphosis to life. Butterflies reappear as motifs of transformation, supported by evocative pieces such as Matteo Pugliese’s Beetles, which explore themes of emergence and renewal. These works are not decorative —they are narrative anchors, reinforcing the villa’s role as a living, evolving space for reflection, creativity, and connection.

A Forgotten Villa Reimagined as a Rural Village

The site consists of several buildings and two large voids they enclose, evoking the urban fabric characteristic of Italian towns—where built masses frame piazzas, and everyday life unfolds in between. Naturally, we began to see this place not as a singular site, but as a small village in itself.

We defined two primary voids: an open square framed by buildings on all four sides—meant for lively, public engagement—and a secluded inner garden offering a more private and introspective atmosphere. Connecting these two spaces is a transitional path, shaping the foundational structure of the “village.”

Inspired by Camillo Sitte’s insight that “the character of a square is defined by the facades of the buildings that enclose it,” we approached the building elevations accordingly. The facades facing the garden are rendered in muted grey mortar, recalling traditional Venetian repair techniques, allowing the garden to remain serene and contemplative. Meanwhile, the buildings facing the square retain and expose their existing textures, anticipating dynamic public use and diverse activity.

The garden path meanders gently, shaped by the existing trees, preserving their placement and rhythm. The square, on the other hand, is formed through the reuse of existing ornamental features and openings in each building, creating entrances that naturally segment the square into four parts. This division introduces spatial variety within the plaza, allowing different characters and uses to coexist.

Public programs are housed in the buildings that open onto the square, reinforcing its communal nature. In contrast, buildings facing the garden accommodate residential units, ensuring privacy and a sense of retreat. The interplay between the two spaces—one vibrant, the other tranquil—encourages a communal lifestyle in tune with both daily rhythms and the natural environment.

Rather than imposing a new identity, this project seeks to uncover and layer upon the stories already embedded in the place. It’s a process of listening to what exists, respecting the traces of the past, and gently building upon them.

“Il Paese Ritrovato” is not merely a project title—it signifies a condition where past and future co-exist, and architecture becomes the medium that bridges the two.

Nestled within the cultural landscape of the Venetian countryside, Villa Meneghetti is reimagined as an agriturismo centred on the healing and sensory qualities of herbs. The project embraces the villa’s agricultural and educational legacy, transforming it into a place where guests and visitors can experience nature, craftsmanship, and rural hospitality through all senses.

At the heart of the complex lies an herbal garden, whose shape is inspired by the historical ceiling paintings of the villa Meneghetti. The herbs cultivated here are harvested and processed on–site into oils, spices, and aromatic products. Guests are invited to participate in workshops, wellness treatments, and educational experiences, such as cooking classes or botanical lessons, that explore the herbal uses and benefits.

The arrival begins with an open and welcoming public square, which transforms into a food market every Sunday for both guests and the surrounding neighbourhood. For the rest of the week, the public is welcome to eat at the restaurant, which serves a cuisine based on herbs from the garden. Next to it, visitors can shop for what they just experienced in a little boutique.

The hotel offers four room types, each providing a different spatial experience and connection to the building, garden, or landscape. Interiors are kept minimal, with a focus on quality materials and functional design that respects the character of the historic architecture.

The architectural approach to the renovation is restrained and conservation-minded. Most of the existing building structure is preserved. The most significant intervention is a new opening that connects the two garden areas and unifies the previously separate buildings into a single, continuous complex. A limewash is applied to the façades to provide both visual cohesion and protection for the historic masonry.

The gardens are divided into three thematic areas:

Additional elements such as bird-friendly fountains, beehives, and native planting support biodiversity on site. These elements, along with the natural pool and low-impact design choices, reflect the project’s commitment to ecological responsibility.

Herbs of Meneghetti is a place to slow down, to focus on your health, and learn for the future. A place where architecture, landscape, and knowledge come together into a holistic and sensory experience. The project offers a new model for sustainable tourism in the Venetian countryside.

A Place to Stay, Grow and Connect

In the rural landscape near Mirano, just a short distance from Venice, lies Villa Meneghetti—a historic estate embedded in centuries of Venetian culture and tradition. Once a lively residence for noble families, the villa is now in a state of quiet decay, waiting to be brought back to life. Inspired by successful examples of restoration like nearby Villa Bembo, this project envisions a new future for Villa Meneghetti: transforming it into a contemporary agriturismo that celebrates nature, culture, and rural hospitality. It is a place where the past meets the present, offering guests a unique experience of relaxation, learning, and community. Our design creates a harmonious and coherent ensemble, brought together through a new pergola structure that carefully unites the existing historic buildings with newly introduced elements. This light and open framework gives the estate a fresh identity, making it visible to the outside world as a vibrant and welcoming destination. The villa radiates renewed energy, inviting both locals and visitors from further afield to step inside, stay, and explore.

The historical buildings are sensitively revitalised, with new residential spaces inserted as clearly defined and independent structures that respect and preserve the original architecture. These additions make the history of the place visible and tangible, while providing flexible living arrangements for different types of guests—whether for short, medium, or long-term stays. Facing the main square, a new restaurant breathes life into the public realm, creating an active interface between the villa and the village.

A communal kitchen on the ground floor forms the social heart of the estate, connecting the central courtyards and encouraging spontaneous encounters and shared moments. The northern edge of the site is defined by two new focal points: a spa pavilion offering spaces for rest and relaxation, and a former stable that has been transformed into a cultural house with a spacious venue for events, exhibitions, and gatherings. Along the western wing, micro-apartments and artists’ studios bring creativity and diversity to the ensemble, turning the villa into a dynamic hub for exchange and cultural production.

At the core of the project are four unique courtyards, each with its own distinct atmosphere, use, and rhythm. One offers tranquillity and retreat, another becomes a lively space for social interaction, while the others allow for creative expression and connection to the landscape. Together, they form a cohesive network of open spaces that enrich the guest experience and establish Villa Verde as a place of community and cultural vibrancy. Fundamental to the concept is the idea of a “productive culture,” where guests actively participate in learning and engaging with sustainable living, local agriculture, and the natural environment.

Villa Verde becomes a place of experimentation and discovery—where people reconnect with seasonal cycles, understand farming processes, and explore the balance between humans and nature. Food and cooking stand at the centre of this vision, acting as universal languages that bring people together. Guests cook, dine, and share stories, creating connections across cultures and generations. Villa Verde aspires to be more than just accommodation; it is a living, breathing space that celebrates heritage, fosters creativity, and cultivates a deep, lasting connection between people and the land.

The project envisions the transformation of a historic farmstead in Campocroce into an agritourism retreat, offering visitors an immersive journey into the rhythms of rural life, centered on wheat cultivation and artisanal pasta making. The experience begins along a timeworn, tree-lined avenue that gently traverses the fields, guiding guests toward a welcoming courtyard and the restored reception pavilion—the gateway to a carefullyorchestrated world of hospitality.

From here, an archway invites visitors into a central courtyard, where a large, thrivingvegetable garden lies at the heart of the estate. Around this living core unfold the communal spaces: a restaurant, outdoor pool, production workshops, and shared living areas—eachdesigned to foster a connection to the land and its bounty.

The restaurant, nourished by the estate’s own garden and nearby farms, offers a menu rootedin seasonality and tradition. A small grocery store, open to residents, completes the experience by offering estate-made products, including fresh pasta crafted daily on site.

An adjoining demonstration and production area allows guests to witness the entire journeyfrom grain to plate. Here, the story of wheat is told through hands-on workshops and live demonstrations, celebrating the craft behind every bite.

The wellness center adds a layer of serenity, featuring an indoor swimming area with threepools of varying temperatures, a tranquil spa, and a mezzanine-level gym that looks out over the landscape.

Architecturally, the project preserves and elevates the soul of the original structures, withexposed brick and timber framing the past, while new interventions in weathered Corten steeloffer a quiet but confident contrast—a respectful dialogue between heritage and contemporaryvision.

Nowadays, the speed of light dictates the human condition. A pixel changes colour and, in the blink of an eye, a deal is made or broken. When the Industrial Revolution made people flood the cities and populate the factories, the digital revolution bound them to their screens in the concrete jungle. And while the world accelerates, people yearn for deceleration in simpler ways.

Like the nobility of the old, we find refuge in the countryside. Set in the Terraferma—the wild plains once conquered by the Renaissance Venetians—the great villas by Andrea Palladio embody the past wealth of a life bound by nature’s rhythm. Here, we also find Villa Meneghetti.

On the site’s 4.5 acres vine, lemons, and olives are cultivated for local produce. Wine itself is a metaphor for tranquility: The fruits need to be cared for with tenderness to grow, and each grape must be picked by hand in contemplative labor. After crushing, the wine needs to ferment and age before it can be savored.

This sets the stage for the project. Villa Meneghetti invites its guests to stay on a genuine farm, where sunrise and the seasons give pace. Production and leisure are therefore not separated but sewn closely together.

The project’s program is carefully distributed, highlighting each building’s strengths. With apartments on the manor house’s upper floors—just above the farm’s owners—and rooms and suites adjacent to the vinery and oil mill. The design’s extensive windows put their fascinating halls on display, creating suspense in the spatial sequence. This display culminates in the guests’ main access; a cheeky cut into the former granary unveiling the buildings’ interior.

The existing villa yields a profound quality and long-reaching history. Their fading state is conserved rather than refurbished, allowing the buildings to tell their own story. Additions are made with their own decisive language yet distinguish themselves clearly without alienating the existing.  

Apart from the existing villa, the wide vineyards are the beating heart of the project. A tall watchtower invites the curious guest to explore the terroir. Between the vines, modular structures in yellow steel house most of the project’s leisure. Their uses range from playground to picnics; relaxation to exercise. Some show themselves freely, while others remain hidden until stumbled upon, blending in seamlessly with the surrounding nature.

Once the guests reach the watchtower at the vineyard’s edge, they are rewarded with a view over the plot and its surroundings, reaching as far as the outskirts of the Venetian Lagoon.

It is on their relaxed strolls that guests find rest and the chance to take in the beauty of nature unfolding around them, and wandering minds come to rest.

Our architectural additions are like pearls strung on a necklace. They rest gently on the body without piercing it. The interventions do not cut or remove, but adorn and emphasize, forming a new layer of meaning without erasing the old.

Our ”pearls” aim to enrich the existing architecture by creating forms that respond and draw inspiration from its surroundings. Each pearl has its own unique way of relating to its immediate context. The design of the dressing room openings as an example aims to lift the spaces defining qualities, such as the existing symmetry and gentle balance of geometric forms. And the lobby entrance as another example finds its form through the frescos decorating the inside of the estate. The characteristic green and organic shaped borders that frame the murals here become the inspiration for the framing of the entrance.This method of designing each pearl as an individual piece results in a richly varied mix of materials, expressions and atmospheres that guests get to experience during their stay.

All these interventions are connected through a single material gesture: black brick. The region’s brickmaking tradition with its focus on craftsmanship is evident in both historic structures and contemporary designs. Our choice to work with black brick becomes a natural extension of this legacy. Moving both horizontally and vertically, the brick forms paths, thresholds and edges, guiding visitors, framing spaces, and grounding each “pearl” within the landscape. In some places it defines rooms, in others, it gently leads movement.

Every addition is designed to not cause any notable damage to the structures on site. Some like the marble slab terraces on the old granary require high level craftsmanship and are built to live with the Meneghetti complex long into the future adding to the site’s historical layers. Others are more temporary. Those connected to the original 16th century summer villa are almost like pieces of furniture. Made of light materials like wood they are easily reversible to allow the villa to be restored to its original form with minimal effort. Some are even made to be completely detached from the site. Three custom designed wagons, movable by tractor, that carry a kitchen, an extendable table, and a small stage. They allow for a great flexibility in their usages. Working both as compliments to the fixed architecture and as a stand alone event space that can be arranged to fit the needs of the occasion.

Agritourism should offer authentic experiences by connecting tourists with farm life and local culture. But when one side is paid, the experience runs the risk of feeling staged. To avoid this, we created a space that benefits locals too. Not a gated hotel, but an open gathering place. A restaurant and farm shop activate the courtyard, turning it into a social hub. Flexible wagon spaces allow it to shift between calm retreat and lively plaza, hosting markets, meals, and events. This encourages real, meaningful exchanges between guests and locals.

THE VENETIAN VILLA / A new chapter of Villa Meneghetti​​

A new chapter of Villa Meneghetti will rediscover sites buildings with an inspired approach to combining old and new. A connection that once existed between Villa Meneghetti and Villa Bembo will be revived by reopening Villa Meneghetti as a guesthouse, creating workshop spaces that support craftsmanship and education, as well as opening a new cultural space. Clear new pathways have been created, and existing openings have been reused with larger expanses of glazing to create a lighter base for the buildings, which opens up more views to the surrounding landscape and establishes a much-needed connection between Villa Meneghetti and other Meneghetti buildings. The strategy for restoration and interior design is to retain the original building fabric and structure, exposing them as much as possible, with necessary repairs and alterations, while avoiding over-restoration, introducing too many new structures, or losing the patina of time. Badly damaged tiles are repaired with an ancient Roman Empire technique where crushed clay tiles are mixed with soil. The end product, named cocciopesto, is a waterproof finish layer that can be used for walls and floors. The character of the Villa Meneghetti and its relationship with the surrounding landscape have been rediscovered through the opening up of facades, restoration of old finishes, and blurring the definition between old and new – and between inside and outside. The architecture of Villa Meneghetti extends beyond the Meneghetti garden, which is harmoniously balanced, embodying a cultural heritage and detailed aesthetic that expresses itself through the arrangement of nature. Yet Villa Meneghetti’s garden design may differ slightly from the traditional Italian garden; still, the understanding of its origins and characteristics can be seen. In addition, a new pergola greenhouse will create an environment where the community can interact through mutual interest in food. Pergolas’ self-sustaining environment integrates plants and human activity, supporting ecological processes and integrating farming, cooking, and gathering into a shared experience. The Lusore canal is accessed from across Braguolo Street, and with a new filtration system, the canal’s water can be used for gardening and cooking. A new pergola demonstrates that food can serve as a means of agricultural and social interaction, reevaluating the relationship between the human body and urban life. Villa Meneghetti is once again a fully immersive rural tourism experience, open to everyone, regardless of age or background. Villa Meneghetti is designed to create an accessible environment, ensuring an equally enjoyable and safe experience for wheelchair users, children, and older adults.

Between Fields and Walls

This project emerges from a shared vision: to propose a sensitive and grounded alternative to mass tourism, inspired by what the site itself reveals. Located near Venice, the town of Mirano is defined by its rural morphology, a landscape structured by agricultural axes, a dense irrigation network, canals, and a strong presence of water. Here, architecture opens toward the fields, villas engage in quiet dialogue with cultivated land, and the agricultural past remains deeply legible. At the heart of this territory, Villa Meneghetti became the starting point for our reflection on what slower, more attentive tourism might look like.

This project is guided by five principles of slow tourism.

The first is the transmission of a living heritage. We believe that slow travel begins with listening, to the land, to its history, and to its rhythms. Understanding the agricultural fabric and geography of a place transforms the experience. The project encourages this awareness through architectural programs: exhibition spaces, workshops, and temporary residencies that continue the site’s story without overwriting it.

The second principle embraces short cycles between production and consumption : “Farm to Table”. Agriculture becomes a space for exchange and discovery. Orchards, greenhouses, aquatic gardens, and permaculture shape an edible landscape, connected to open kitchens and spaces for culinary workshops. These elements are not simply placed; they are interwoven into the site, in direct continuity with the fields.

The third principle is Movement, rest, and reconnection. The site is envisioned as a place of renewal, where movement is slow and embodied, on foot or by bicycle, with spaces for yoga, swimming, running, and rest. This physical relationship with the place is part of the slow experience.

The fourth principle emphasizes time and intimacy. One can pause, wander, and reflect. Quiet paths, lookouts, gardens, and accommodations open to the landscape allow everyone to slow down and reconnect , alone or together, at their own pace.

Finally, visual and physical continuities structure the project. Inspired by agricultural vistas and water systems, we imagine a network of terraces, habitable grounds, and footbridges that cross buildings, guide movement, and extend into the fields. These lines stitch together architecture, cultivated landscapes, and daily gestures.

“Between Fields and Walls” outlines a grounded form of tourism, where architecture attunes itself to the rhythms of life in order to better reveal them.

SILK-WEAVE GARDEN
Renovation interweaving history, nature, and new life

Silk-Weave is more than a name — it’s the core idea shaping this villa’s transformation.
🔹 Technically, silk weave means fabric made by crossing long and crosswise threads.
🔹 Metaphorically, it stands for flexibility and the ties that connect old with new.

In Silk-Weave Garden, this comes to life in two ways:
– History — a tribute to the silkworm farming once here.
– Architecture — light pergolas and green vines “weave” buildings into one garden fabric.

1. A roof with new purpose
The old roof turns into open wooden pergolas, creating view terraces and new gathering spots. The two buildings link with light bridges — an architectural “thread” uniting past and present.

2. Honest facades
Walls are cleaned to show the original brickwork. Its texture is preserved and protected. Cornices and moldings are restored, painted white to stand out gently against aged brick.

3. Cocoons of light
The silkworm theme shapes special lamps and art pieces like cocoons. They appear outside and inside, giving off soft light and reminding guests of the site’s story.

4. Roof tiles reused
Removed tiles live on:
– outdoors as warm paving chips,
– indoors as decor and custom lamps.
Reusing materials honors the villa’s memory and avoids waste.

5. Warm, simple interiors
Inside, old brick, beams and arches stay open. Natural wood, ceramics and linen bring warmth. Soft light and reused details echo the cocoon idea, adding calm and intimacy.

6. Better layout — more privacy
Long corridors are gone. On the ground floor, each room has a private entrance from the garden or yard. Guests enter through a small reception with two spiral stairs wrapping old columns. One stair leads to upper rooms, the other to roof terraces.
Second-floor rooms open off short, bright halls. There are different room types — from compact studios to larger units with kitchen and living area.

7. Master plan — one connected whole
The plan unites four main parts:
– Building 1 — upgraded rooms with a shared kitchen and a bridge linking the roof to Building 2.
– Building 2 — main block with lobby, reception, rooms and flexible halls for workshops. Halls open to the yard with separate entrances. Some rooms upstairs have private terraces.
– Building 3 — creative studios for crafts, painting, pottery.
– Building 4 — restaurant, kitchen, gym with outdoor pool and rooftop deck. There’s a service zone and parking for guests and staff.

In front of Building 1 sits a garden with cocoon sculptures. Nearby, a small amphitheater and reused-tile art pieces continue the theme. Restored vineyards and an eco-garden let guests join harvests or wine workshops.

Silk-Weave Garden is not just about saving an old villa. It’s about interweaving light, material, landscape, and memory — giving new life and a quiet sense of history for every guest.

Vialento is a rural hospitality campus designed through the adaptive reuse of existing stone buildings in Campocroce, Northern Italy. The project reinterprets architectural memory through contemporary spatial strategies, establishing a relationship between preserved structures, newly inserted programs, and the surrounding agricultural landscape. The proposal is founded on the principles of slowness, continuity, and spatial sequencing, prioritising transitions and atmospheres over rigid formalities. A pivotal design decision was the incorporation of a continuous ground-level platform, which facilitates circulation and establishes the overarching spatial logic of the site. This platform does not merely connect buildings; it establishes the movement between functions, creating an experience-driven path across courtyards, thresholds, and terrain. The platform sequence begins as a subtle threshold near the entrance—inviting users to slow down and orient themselves before entering the campus. This initial gesture signals transition without imposing direction. As it continues, the line leads toward the central gallery structure, guiding users into either the wine tasting volume or a neutral transitional space. Here, spatial rhythm intensifies, and encounters become more layered. The user shifts from being passively led to actively engaging with the environment. As the platform reaches the second courtyard, it gradually withdraws—losing its edge and allowing for openness and free movement. The courtyard becomes a place to pause, observe, and dwell, where circulation gives way to individual experience. On the eastern edge of the site, there is a clear building where local products are harvested and a cooking workshop. This building is next to area “b”, which is a vegetable garden that guests use. Visitors collect food using basic tools for use in the kitchen or during workshops, which helps them understand rural life. In area “c”, which is at the southern edge, there is a sensory field planted with lavender, rosemary, and thyme. A path that you can walk along runs next to it, and you can enjoy the landscape by touching and smelling it. These two areas (b and c) are open to guests and add to the rural experience by getting them involved. The areas are defined in the masterplan as zones “a”, “b”, and “c”. Two L-shaped buildings were adapted for lodging in different ways. One was changed by adding volumes, and the other was kept and reorganised inside. These buildings shape the courtyard, with carefully designed openings that offer views of the surrounding fields. At the centre of the campus, a two-level building for eating and drinking serves different purposes: you can eat in a flexible space on the lower level, or in a more formal restaurant on the upper level. Villa Meneghetti, at the entrance, is kept as a separate memory. It is clear and made of material that you can see and touch. This helps you to know where you are, remember things and move around. Vialento’s designs are inspired by the countryside and are based on what is already there. They encourage people to experience the space and become a part of its evolution.