Villa Lea by Studiodonizelli
Villa Lea is a luxury residence located in Monaco, designed in 2021 by Studiodonizelli.
Description
Lying on a park of 4,500 square meters that develops on a series of terraces connected and enriched by dense Mediterranean vegetation, Villa Lea faces the beautiful bays of the French Riviera near Monte Carlo. The famous town of the Principality is in fact just a few kilometers away and is visible from the garden and the huge windows of the residence, which offer a panoramic view of the gulf and the territory.
The relationship between interior and exterior, as well as the desire to achieve perfect integration with the landscape, determine the main contents of this project, curated by the two architects Massimo and Marco Donizelli of the homonymous Milanese studio: flanked by three dependencies, the morphology of the main house is in fact shaped from a pre-existing rock wall. The spur of pudding wraps the building from top to bottom and is used as a rough basement corresponding to a portion of the ground floor, on which the first and second levels rest. The result is a particular dichotomy between natural and artificial and between the random, unworked profile of the rock and the rigorous geometry of the built volume, with the marked lines of the terraces, the sharp edges, the transparent glass parapets, the pure colors of the envelope and the metal strips of the brise-soleil.
The large roof terrace, furnished with sofas and chairs, defines the top of Villa Lea and welcomes the entrance from the street: this can be done via the panoramic elevator or through an external staircase, which follows the outline of the house and leads to the first floor, with the living area consisting of a billiard room, a wine cellar, a patio with a miniature zen garden, the living room of 150 square meters, a room for the professional preparation of food and the large kitchen, where it is resumed the stylistic code of the residence. The central island is in fact characterized by elements placed on different levels and interlocked, such as the marble block that is grafted onto the clear volume with a cantilevered worktop, made of Lapitec, in the Bianco Polare nuance and Satin finish. The sintered stone continues the dualism sought by Studio Donzelli, representing innovation and contemporaneity: it is the technological soul, essential, high performance, the result of a production process covered by 25 patents, combined with the decorative aesthetics of marble. As a covering for the island and as a top, it guarantees maximum resistance thanks to its pore-free surface – therefore non-absorbent and perfectly hygienic – and its resistance to scratches, shocks, temperatures, UV rays, chemicals, and acids.
The full-height glass windows framed by thin frames, curated by Sky-Frame, are then the only element that separates the living and kitchen space from the terrace; if open, they give rise to a fluid and easily usable space, completely oriented to ensure the visual relationship with the horizon. A concept that continues in the same way on the upper level, dedicated to the sleeping area, where there is a large master suite, two bathrooms, two separate walk-in closets, and a private study. On level 0, partially underground, there are two bedrooms with a bathroom dedicated to guests, the cinema room, the SPA complete with Jacuzzi, Hammam and emotional shower, a gym, a Pilates room, and a pool house with kitchen and living room, directly overlooking the large outdoor infinity pool, with hydromassage stations.
A pool overlooking the bay
The pool is surrounded by the rich vegetation of the garden, by numerous conversation, relaxation, or outdoor dining corners, and is dotted, on the perimeter, with small spots embedded in the paving. The lighting is also provided inside, thanks to lighting fixtures with chromotherapy operating during the evening and night hours, which emphasize the dark-colored coatings, in contrast with the surrounding flooring, beige in color.
The surfaces of the swimming pool are also entirely in Lapitec in the Terra Ebano and Vesuvio finish, here skilfully worked by Freri and Brignoli to exploit the full potential of the material. High workability, reduction of tension, and XXL size (up to 1500×3365 mm) have in fact made it possible to minimize the signs of joints (more prone to maintenance) and to create curvilinear steps and 45-degree cut elements.
Photography by Andrea Martiradon
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- by Matt Watts
