Villa «La scala», at Portese del Garda, Italy

Abstract

This is an «artist's house», and is built on the hill slopes overlooking Lake of Garda. The project consists of a number of buildings, which adapt themselves closely to the contour and accidents of the ground, and blend in gentle contrast with it. The villa itself is at the highest level, and enjoys a magnificent view over the impressive landscape around it. It consists of two main living spaces: one of them is formed by the guest room, the bathroom and kitchen, and is well differentiated from the second, which is made up of a living room, a dining room, and the main bedroom. Lower than the living quarters and fully separated from them, is the studio and workshop. This is an extensive enclosure, with very ample, movable, glazed surfaces. It can be extended so as to include the porch and adjoining terraces. There is a secondary building, where the watchman and the servants of the villa live. It is made with local stone, and is covered with tiles. This strong, tough looking building was made thus to better withstand the violence of the local storms, which often whip up considerable waves on the surface of the famous lake. The surrounding land has been left in its original aspect; namely, tilled soil, low bushes and olive groves. The notable emphasis which the architect has sought in the horizontal lines of the buildings harmonizes cleverly with the water surface, and the plastic power of the concrete structure adds to the sense of solidity provided by the mountainside.