Lake Como Villa: Interior Design Meets Nature

Integration of Architecture with the Natural Environment

This villa is situated on the shores of Lake Como, redesigned with a focus on using local materials to enhance harmony with the breathtaking natural surroundings. Exquisite craftsmanship has contributed to the creation of a series of interior spaces characterized by serenity and a cinematic quality, resulting in a visually and spiritually rich living experience.

Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings

The design faced the challenge of addressing an existing structure that suffered from the deterioration of some of its concrete elements, which made it appear out of context with its surroundings. Therefore, the rehabilitation process focused on transforming the villa into a tranquil space with an open-plan layout and two bedrooms, maximizing the panoramic views of the lake and reflecting a harmonious relationship between the building and the surrounding nature.

Open-plan interior of a modern villa with green cabinetry, raw concrete ceiling, and a wooden dining table overlooking Lake Como. — The spacious open-plan layout combines the warmth of green-stained oak with the raw solidity of the exposed concrete ceiling. (Image © Dario Borruto)

Modern kitchen design with oak wood cabinets, marble kitchen island, and contemporary wooden chairs in a Lake Como residence. — The integration of local materials is evident in the marble details paired with oak wood, adding a precise artisanal character to the kitchen area. (Image © Dario Borruto)

Reorganizing Interior Spaces

The design called for a reorientation of the interior spaces to enhance flow between different areas, while making more efficient use of the floor plan. The expansive open-plan areas are divided into two main wings, from which the kitchen, living room, and other facilities branch out through a glazed corridor that introduces a dramatic dimension to movement within the house.

Utilizing Materials to Enhance Spatial Harmony

The material palette highlights the villa’s connection to its geographical and topographical context, emphasizing the regional quality of the materials. Sheer woolen curtains act as light partitions, offering a shifting glimpse of the surrounding greenery. This view is gradually revealed through floor-to-ceiling openings, creating a seamless transition between interior and exterior.

Connecting Interior and Exterior

Green-stained oak clads the kitchen, living areas, and entrances, forming a color link with the rolling hills of the surrounding landscape. Polished concrete floors and a marble mix echo the surfaces of the terrace and pool, reinforcing visual harmony between the interior and the external scenery. These elements also help to lighten the visual weight of the existing raw concrete slab, as textured surfaces contrast with the smooth marble supporting columns, creating a visual balance between raw and refined materials.

Detailed architectural floor plan of the Lake Como villa showing the open-plan layout and bedroom wings. — The floor plan illustrates the division of the villa into two main wings, optimizing floor space and enhancing the flow between rooms.

The Experience of Transitioning to the Bedrooms

The journey to the bedrooms offers a fully integrated visual and spatial experience, as the wide corridor passes through two newly landscaped courtyards before arriving at a cylindrical recess. Delicate timber fins clad this intimate juncture, with curved doors leading to a utility room and guest quarters. Within the bedrooms, the same timber language continues, featuring oak floors and bespoke cladding that enhance the harmony between natural materials and the interior design.

Employing Wood and Local Materials

The extensive use of wood throughout the rooms reflects the design philosophy of strengthening connections between interior and exterior, while making use of local craftsmanship. Custom cladding and timber floors add visual depth and warmth to the spaces, creating an experience that resonates seamlessly with the surrounding natural context.

Leveraging the Natural Context

In this project, the site was approached as a nearly blank canvas, providing an opportunity to draw inspiration from the surrounding landscape and local context rather than relying on uninspiring existing elements. The design carefully honors local materials and traditional craftsmanship, while treating the existing concrete elements in a way that softens their appearance and harmonizes with the environment, creating a balance between heritage and modernity within the interior spaces.

Interior lounge area with sheer wool curtains, a green marble pillar, and a view of autumn trees at Lake Como. — Sheer wool curtains and smooth marble columns create a visual balance with the surrounding autumnal nature of Lake Como. (Image © Dario Borruto)

Minimalist interior hallway with glass walls and a view of a cylindrical wooden feature at the end. — The wide glass corridor represents a dramatic visual and spatial transition connecting the main wings of the house with the courtyard. (Image © Dario Borruto)

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The villa’s design represents a clear attempt to connect the interior space with its natural context, utilizing local materials while maintaining the home’s clean, simple lines. On the positive side, the attention to spatial flow and the provision of panoramic views create a fully integrated living experience, highlighting the importance of harmony between materials and traditional craftsmanship.

However, the project raises some questions regarding the effectiveness of space utilization for daily user functions, particularly in large open-plan areas that may present challenges for practical, everyday use. The relationship between raw materials and the existing concrete can also be examined from a functional perspective; the emphasis on tactile aesthetics may at times limit flexibility in adapting or modifying the space to meet future needs.

Nonetheless, the project provides a valuable model for studying how nature can be integrated with interior architecture, illustrating the relationship between local materials and regional context. It can serve as a source for architectural analysis and future planning of similar projects, emphasizing the need to balance aesthetic qualities with functional performance in design.