Villa Molli by Lorenzo Guzzini
Villa Molli is an amazing lake-front house located in Sala Comacina, Italy, designed in 2019 by Lorenzo Guzzini.
About Villa Molli
Lake Como’s Architectural Gem: A Villa’s Vision
Nestled in Lake Como’s landscape, the villa arises from the “half hill,” historically earmarked for agriculture. Here, amidst new growth, remnants of stone houses tell tales of man’s past presence.
A Land of Dual Slopes and Historical Trails
The villa’s terrain exhibits dual slopes, running from west to east and south to north. Atop a retaining wall, a historic pedestrian path connects northern lake villages. Notably, the majestic view of Comacina Island lies slightly askew.
Innovative Design Anchored in Nature’s Beauty
The villa’s design hinges on two main perceptions. Two towering structures dominate the plot’s ends. These connect via a spacious ground floor living room and an upper terrace. Respect for the land’s gradients inspired a multi-tiered indoor lounge, creating varied lake views. By bifurcating the structure, they capitalized on the island views. Traditional apertures grace the lake-facing front, while expansive openings on the north-east sides frame the island’s ever-changing hues.
A Dance of Light, Shadow, and Space
Internally, a play of light and shadow energizes the space. Transitions between sleeping and living zones enhance the villa’s drama. The path through these areas pulsates with life, weaving stories in shadows.
Tradition Meets Modernity: The Exterior’s Tale
Stone cladding, reminiscent of traditional lakeside constructions, envelops the villa. Here, roofs and facades merge. A mere tilt introduces variations, transforming façade splits into slabs. In this villa, technological innovation, construction traditions, and linguistic creativity harmoniously blend.
Oriented by Tradition and Landscape
Rotating the structures 90 degrees to each other ties back to the locale’s essence. One tower mirrors a neighboring traditional house, albeit with an unconventional orientation. The other aligns traditionally, facing the lake head-on. In this context, the villa’s pool isn’t just an aesthetic element; it forms a bridge between Villa Molli’s interior and the sprawling external landscape.
Photography by Giorgio Marafioti
Visit Lorenzo Guzzini
- by Matt Watts
