Living almost without boundaries

From a crumbling ruin that seemed destined for demolition to a modern building perfectly integrated with its lush, picturesque surroundings – this is the story of the transformation of Villa Pirello. Once almost reduced to rubble, the villa is located close to the stunning Maiella National Park in Guardiagrele, a small municipality of just over 8,000 inhabitants in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo.

“Villa Pirello gave us the opportunity to create a project from scratch: a blank piece of paper on which to design the house according to our vision,” explain architects Lisa Giusti and Romina Primavera of A4U Architecture4you, reflecting on the journey that brought Villa Pirello to its current state. “The building actually survived demolition, infusing its character into the project that was taking shape,” they explain. The result is a modern residence, distinguished by large windows and materials that reflect the surrounding environment, allowing it to blend seamlessly with its natural setting. Interaction with the outside world, and the breathtaking panorama surrounding the building, became the cornerstone of the entire project. “Right from the entrance, a large glass window directs the gaze towards the landscape, breaking down boundaries and blurring the distinction between the house and the garden. This creates an immersive sensation both inside and outside at the same time,” add the architects.

Developed on a single floor, the villa spans just over 100 square metres. “About half of the space is dedicated to the living area, designed to offer a warm and informal welcome, with plenty of light and the warmth of a fireplace,” the architects explain. “The highly functional kitchen features storage columns and a large worktop, integrated into the living room. It includes a snack bar with stools, allowing those working in the kitchen to engage in conversations with guests or family members while enjoying the view of the surrounding greenery. There are also two bedrooms, each offering a direct view of the outdoors from the bed.” In essence, there is a sense of seamless continuity between interior and exterior spaces.

This continuity is further emphasised by the decision to use the same flooring throughout the villa, except in the bedrooms. The chosen material is the I Cocci collection from Ceramica Fioranese, a porcelain stoneware inspired by floors recovered from an old farmhouse in Romagna. It is laid in 90×90 cm size tiles in an ash colour, both inside the villa and along the surrounding walkways.

The swimming pool also plays a crucial role in this seamless design, built like an arrow pointing towards the mountain. Its glass wall creates the illusion of a floating space, echoing the entire project’s concept of being almost entirely free of boundaries.