Results: The Venetian Villa

Terraviva has officially released the complete list of awarded projects of the architecture contest entitled “The Venetian Villa”.

The competition invited architects and designers to imagine a new life for Villa Meneghetti, an abandoned yet historically significant complex in northern Italy. Once a retreat for noble Venetian families seeking respite from the intensity of urban life, the villa has the potential to reclaim its role as a place of calm and reflection. The competition’s aim was to reinterpret the site as an Agriturismo, blending heritage with contemporary use. Participants were encouraged to transform its historic spaces into an immersive slow-tourism experience, enhancing the villa’s functionality while respecting its architectural identity. At the heart of the brief was the ambition to foster sustainable tourism and cultural preservation, highlighting the dialogue between architecture, landscape and tradition.

The awarded proposals offered a rich variety of visions that reimagined the villa’s future while maintaining a deep respect for its past. The jury praised designs that embraced authenticity through minimal interventions, allowing the site’s historic character to stand out. Some approaches celebrated conviviality and cultural exchange, creating spaces for gathering, creativity and gastronomy that reinforced the villa’s agricultural roots. Others emphasized harmony between water, landscape and architecture, highlighting the natural morphology of the site with sensitivity and care.

Terraviva congratulates all participants for their thoughtful contributions, which demonstrated remarkable creativity, sensitivity and respect for the cultural legacy of Villa Meneghetti.

The winners were selected by an international jury panel composed by:

- Antonino Margagliotta (Palermo, Italy) | University of Palermo
- Carlos de Riaño Lozano (Madrid, Spain) | Riaño+Arquitectos
- Ana Paula Wickert (Passo Fundo, Brazil) | W. Arquitetura e Urbanismo
- Ju Bin (Shenzhen, China) | Horizontal Design
- Mario Cottone (Sciacca, Italy) | Cottone+Indelicato
- Nadia Bertolino (Pavia, Italy) | University of Pavia
- Sebastiano Amore (Catania, Italy) | ACA
- Gerard Roach (New York, USA) | Art2Architecture

1st Prize

Vita Rustica
Barbora Gunišová, Mário Melek, Dominik Haviar
Slovakia

The intention behind the design is to restore the values closely tied to this place—authenticity, tradition, and respect for the natural environment. Through minimal interventions, we have allowed the authentic elements to stand out, revealing the original character. Our goal is for the area itself to tell its story and to uncover the unique spirit of this place.

The site is located in a setting deeply connected with nature. Instead of the current green areas, we propose planting vineyards and orchards, thus reconnecting the grounds with the local environment, nature, and traditional farming. The vineyards will flow seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, creating a sense of harmony between the site and its natural context.
This is a place where moments of silence and relaxation merge with activities that deepen the connection to nature. Visitors can rest by the water or beneath the tree canopies, or engage in hands-on experiences such as growing crops or producing local goods. They are invited to try traditional forms of agriculture for themselves. These activities link the past with the present, creating a bond between people and the land—between rest and discovery.

The activities and spaces we have proposed are designed to foster diversity. Every visitor will find a personal way to recharge and find peace here. The result is a place that inspires return—a space where people can find energy, inspiration, and harmony.
We envision the villa as the living heart of the site—a place that fosters relationships and cultural connection. Instead of traditional hotel functions, it offers spaces for social gatherings, creative work, and cultural events. The villa retains its historical character while serving as a venue for tastings, exhibitions, concerts, and weddings.

Accommodation is designed to immerse guests in the authentic atmosphere of an agro-hotel. Two lodging options are proposed: maisonette apartments with private outdoor access and gardens, and two-story cabins with fully openable façades that place guests directly among the vineyards. Both types expand into the surrounding greenery, enhancing the connection to nature.
The restaurant centers around an open kitchen where guests can observe meal preparation. It is spread across three levels: a public dining area on the ground floor, a multifunctional event hall above, and a rooftop lounge with panoramic views.
The agricultural building offers an interactive experience, allowing visitors to observe and taste local products like olive oil, cheese, or wine, and engage with the producers.

The former storage building now hosts a sustainable ecosystem with free-roaming animals and two greenhouses. Guests can pick and taste fresh produce and learn directly from farmers.
Relaxation zones are thoughtfully integrated across the site—whether by the pool, in the orchard, on the vineyard-enclosed court, or in the wellness—offering each visitor a personal and peaceful retreat.

_________________________________________

About the First Prize – Charles Tashima – Studio Tashima

“This project feels most like what the villa may have been like set within vineyards, orchards and pathways into a cultivated landscape dotted with pavilions. It has a modest brief as a hotel for retreat, with the added functions for gathering, creativity and cultural experience. The restaurant with open kitchen is at its heart, speaks to the connection of the villa and its agricultural setting, authenticity of farm to table, conviviality. In carefully crafted renders, the design sensitively approaches that balance between minimal intervention and new, conveying a clear vision of harmony among people, nature, and history.”

About the First Prize – Teodoro Mastrantonio – Studio Moren

“Through minimal interventions that let authentic elements stand out, the project creates a romantic atmosphere of authenticity, tradition, and respect for nature.”

2nd Prize

The Red Thread | Agriturismo in the Venetian Villa
Léa Balmy, Melis Yaliniz, Nicolas Milet
France

What if a new historic layer could breathe new life into the Venetian Villa?

Located in the heart of the Venetian countryside, Villa Meneghetti complex embodies the richness of a centuries-old heritage, whose past, shaped by silk production and rural life, now combines with a respectful ambition for renewal. Our rehabilitation project aims to transform this historic villa into a hospitality center, blending rural tourism with the valorization of the “genius loci”, all while maintaining a living memory.

Our approach is structured around three major conceptual threads: the water axis, the landscape axis, and the built axis. Each one engages with the existing context, amplifying the site’s intrinsic qualities.

The built axis ensures respect for the existing fabric, in keeping with the spirit of the Venice Charter. We articulate the introduction of a new historical layer through a readable, contemporary architectural language, illustrated by the creation of a floating footbridge in red steel, or “red thread,” which nods to the villa’s former silk industry and the signature color of the existing exterior carpentry. This light footbridge connects the currently fragmented buildings in a harmonious way, allowing the complex to “breathe” and encouraging gentle circulation. It offers a sensory and artistic journey, enhanced by aromatic gardens, interactive sculptures, and play areas for all ages.

The water axis finds its origin in the immediate proximity of the Lusore River, a founding feature of the site and a true leitmotif of our design process. Inspired by this presence, we incorporated a series of water channels along the façades, extending the ancestral dialogue between the villa and its natural surroundings. This intervention creates a true water loop, both reinterpreting the tradition of the Italianate garden – where water defines the composition – and reviving the site’s historic productive vocation. Water is thus expressed in three ways: decorative, with patterned channels enlivening the grounds and reflecting light; productive, through a hydroponic farm fed by collected water; and playful, via a natural swimming basin where visitors can enjoy the simple pleasures of nature.

Finally, the landscape axis structures the outdoor spaces into two complementary entities: a wild garden to the west, populated by indigenous species (cypresses, umbrella pines, germander, etc.), and a more orderly Italian garden to the east, marked by pathways, fountains, and groves. The preservation of local species reflects a special attention given to what already exists.

The program ensures a clear separation between public and private spaces: the ground floor is dedicated to communal functions (lobby, restaurant, tasting area, boutique, workshops…etc.), while the upper floor or “piano nobile” is reserved for rooms connected by the footbridge. Every intervention prioritizes the conservation of remarkable architectural features – painted decorations, historic walls – reinterpreted with care through new latticework and contemporary furniture, relying on an in-depth analysis of the site’s color palette.
Our ambition is to offer a place where hospitality meets authenticity and relaxation, making every stay at Villa Meneghetti a memorable experience at the crossroads of history and tradition.

_________________________________________

About the 2nd Prize – Paolo Cesaretti – pc-|<

“A well-balanced project — coherent and respectful of the genius loci with a restrained contemporary character. Water, landscape, and built axes amplify the site’s morphology, linking spaces with lightness, harmony, and deep contextual care.”

3rd Prize

Silk theards of memory
Maryam Magomadova, Peter Klimenko
Russia

Concept
Keeping the spirit of the past, the project gives new life to agricultural facilities, turning them into an agritourism complex. Guests will be able to touch the heritage, enjoying the rural idyll, participating in traditional crafts and tasting local delicacies. This is not just a vacation, but an immersion in culture and historical traditions. We offer not just a stay at the hotel, but to become part of a history, to feel like a farmer and enjoy the simple joys of rural life surrounded by picturesque landscapes.

Visit scenarios
The project provides two visit scenarios. The first scenario is aimed at maximum relaxation and immersion in the world of luxury.
Having settled in one of the 10 rooms of the villa, you can enjoy all benefits. A private garden cafe will be open for guests, and next to the villa, in the former cellar and granary building our unique spa is located. The spa’s calling card is a large pool that covers both the interior of the building and goes outside through open spaces.
The second scenario of staying in the complex is aimed at full immersion in the world of agriculture and nature of the territory. The second class of rooms, which are located in former agricultural buildings, is intended for guests who want to turn their stay into an amazing experience associated with various interactive events and activities.
During your stay in the agrotourism complex, you will be able not only to relax, but also to learn more about the history of the region, work independently in the garden, take part in master classes and cook unique dishes according to old recipes.

Agrotourism
Project pay great attention to the intangible heritage of the territory, namely, its past associated with the development of agriculture. We offer the territory on the southern side of the complex to be used again for growing crops. In the former fruit warehouse, we placed a wine restaurant with a veranda, as well as a tasting room for local delicacies and a shop for local products.
We propose leaving the former warehouse on the east side as an open space for various events, culinary workshops and meetings. On the ground floor of the former drying room for silkworms, we placed a restaurant open to both residents and guests of the complex. The restaurant provides an open part next to which there is a central place of the square, where musical evenings can be held.

Heritage
The rich history of the place, as well as the stunning architectural heritage dictated a minimal degree of intervention in the territory. We sought to preserve as much as possible not only the planning structure of the complex, but also the authentic elements of the buildings. Our propose is to leave villa in its exalted view and reveal its potential in interior solutions that do not contrast with the historical view, but subtly complement it. We also work carefully with the other objects – do not change their volumetric structure and do not dismantle parts of the buildings, but carefully adapt them to the new life of the complex.

_________________________________________

About the 3rd Prize – Teodoro Mastrantonio – Studio Moren

“The project offers an immersive experience in the heritage, agriculture, and rural traditions of the site, enhanced by minimal interventions and the indoor–outdoor pool flowing through the existing buildings.”

Golden Mention

Memento Temporis
Askar Daurbekov, Larisa-Maria Jula
Kazakhstan – Romania

The core idea of the project comes from the sundial on the church in Mirano’s historical center, whose poetic inscription reminds us that time governs both natural cycles and human life. Living in tune with these rhythms has long defined Venetian rural culture, manifested in both the landscape and architecture. Inspired by this, we adopted the traditional Venetian calendar as a temporal framework and translated its rural rituals as participatory moments rooted in time and tradition.

As a physical projection of this idea, we created an axis mundi, a symbolic center of the world, emerging at the intersection of two conceptual connections that frame the experience of place. First, the central building, the former cellar and granary, connects the active piazza and the contemplative garden along the east–west axis. Positioned between them, it creates a fluid transition from gathering to retreat.The workshop pavilion, once the fruit storage, defines the second, more symbolic connection, linking nature and human action. It marks this threshold, guiding guests from observation to participation in seasonal and culinary rituals.
The piazza is designed as a vibrant communal space, hosting events, workshops, and open-air gatherings that shift throughout the year, from harvest celebrations to small performances and teaching moments. To support this flexibility, we developed a series of modular outdoor furniture from reused materials on the site that can adapt to various uses and be easily reconfigured as needed. These elements are stored in the barchessa, which maintains its historical role as a storage facility.

Facing the piazza, the old drying room for silkworms is now a two-level public building. The upper floor hosts a flexible space for cultural events, workshops, and community gatherings, occasionally welcoming local residents alongside guests. On the ground floor, a farm-to-table restaurant connects directly to the garden and the pavilion, where guests pick ingredients, explore preserves, and begin the cooking process. The experience concludes at the restaurant, where raw elements are transformed into shared, organic meals.
To the west, the garden offers a slower, more introspective side of the guest experience. Designed as a green refuge, it evolves gently throughout the year, guided by the rhythm of nature. At its center, the mulberry tree recalls the villa’s silkworm legacy, while figs, rosemary, lavender, and persimmons mark time through scent, texture, and seasonal change. This living calendar surrounds guests with a continuous, sensory awareness of time.

At the center of the project stands the Villa Meneghetti, not just a historic structure, but the heart of the guest experience. Carefully restored, it holds together the narrative of past and present. Internally, the layout has been reconfigured to support new functions, guest rooms, and shared living spaces, while preserving the villa’s architectural character. Finishes, proportions, and material choices echo the original atmosphere, balanced with contemporary comfort. The villa becomes the host, welcoming guests into a place where history is lived, not observed.

Like the sundial that inspired it, the project traces the passing of time, not to mark it, but to inhabit it.

Golden Mention

Il Bozzolo
Samira Ismail, Gehad Wagieh
Egypt

Our concept draws deeply from the rich and layered history of the villa. This building has always been a place of refuge, transforming over time from a retreat for nobles, to a girls’ shelter with a small school empowering young women, and later becoming a business dedicated to the production and storage of silkworms. Throughout its journey, the villa has consistently embraced a nurturing role – much like the cocoon that protects a caterpillar until it emerges as a butterfly. Inspired by this metaphor, we chose to name our project “Il Bozzolo,” meaning “The Cocoon” in Italian, to honor its story of protection, growth, and transformation.

Our main concept revolves around two pillars: history and heritage. We aimed to preserve the authentic character of the building by maintaining the function of each space as it once was. For example, the cellar and granary buildings, which historically operated as a school on the ground floor and sleeping quarters on the first floor, were reimagined as guest rooms to maintain their original purpose of shelter and accommodation.

The villa itself, once a summer retreat for nobles, is designed to reflect the elegance of that era. We integrated materials, patterns, and textures that evoke the noble lifestyle, while preserving the bare old walls and original fresco paintings in the reception to celebrate its timeless beauty.

We were inspired by the villa’s heritage and the contrasting roles it played throughout history. This idea of contrast is translated into our design using two main materials: steel beams and silk fabrics. Steel, bold and structural, contrasts with the softness and delicacy of silk, yet both share the same intrinsic qualities of durability and resilience – just like the villa itself.
To overcome structural limitations, we employed technology in a subtle yet effective way. For instance, we integrated an LED screen at the reception entrance to create an illusion of double height, resolving the issue of low ceiling and enhancing the spatial experience without compromising the historical integrity of space.

Our vision for Il Bozzolo is to renew the villa so it continues to play its role in society – as a retreat for families, a local market for farmers, or an open courtyard that hosts vibrant community activities. In doing so, we ensure that this building remains a place of gathering, shelter, and transformation, honoring its past while opening its doors to a meaningful future

Honorable Mention

Olive branch
Gyu Hyeon Kim
Republic of Korea

Honorable Mention

Villa Meneghetti: Eternal Metamorphosis
Anastasia Truhanenko, Anna Sarkisiants, Elena Strelkova, Irina Agapova, Alexandra Borodulkina, Maria Viktorova, Maksim Revyakin, Anna Teterina
Russia