Residential — 2025
Villa Nocturne
Lake Como
Shadow. Stone. Silence.
A residence shaped by the interplay of light and shadow, perched on the shores of Lake Como.
The Challenge
The site was a steep, wooded promontory with protected views across the lake. Local regulations limited building height to a single storey visible from the water. The clients wanted a home that felt expansive without dominating the landscape — a retreat that honoured the nocturnal character of the lake.
Area
580 m²
Site
2.3 hectares
Duration
28 months
Budget
Confidential
Site
A steep, wooded promontory on Lake Como's western shore. Protected views, strict height limits, one visible storey.
Process
Over eighteen months, we built thirty-seven study models exploring the relationship between mass and slope. The final configuration emerged from a single insight: rather than perching on the hill, the villa would be woven into it. The structure follows the natural contours, its roof becoming a continuation of the garden above.
Materials
Local limestone quarried within fifty kilometres of the site forms the primary structure. Floors are poured terrazzo with aggregates gathered from the lake shore. Walls are finished in polished Venetian plaster — a technique that captures the changing light across the day.
Client
“They didn't design a house for us. They designed a way of living that we didn't know was possible. Every morning the light is different, and every morning we discover something new.”
Reflection
Villa Nocturne taught us that the most powerful architecture is not the most visible. The building that disappears into its site, that feels inevitable rather than imposed — that is the hardest thing to achieve.
Outcomes
The villa achieved Passivhaus certification despite its extensive glazing. Energy consumption is 72% below a conventional home of equivalent size. The project was awarded the RIBA International Prize 2025 and featured in Architectural Digest, Wallpaper*, and Domus.
Location
Lake Como
Year
2025
Type
Residential
Duration
2022–2025
Next Project
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