Results: Florence Hills

Terraviva has officially released the complete list of awarded projects of the architecture contest entitled “Florence Hills”.

The competition invited architects and designers to imagine the revival of Podere Santa Margherita, a Tuscan rural complex marked by time yet rich in history and character. The challenge called for a delicate balance between preservation and innovation, to honor the site’s architectural legacy while transforming it into a contemporary luxury residence. Participants were asked to explore interventions capable of breathing new life into the estate without compromising its authenticity, envisioning a retreat that could serve both as a family residence and as an exclusive destination for guests. The goal was to reinterpret the timeless beauty of Tuscan architecture through refined spatial design, sensitivity to materials and a deep dialogue with the surrounding landscape.

The awarded proposals stood out for their elegance, precision and thoughtful integration of architecture and nature. The jury distinguished projects that revealed a nuanced understanding of light, topography and spatial organization, turning the site’s inherent complexities into opportunities for design. Particularly admired were those schemes that cultivated fluid transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, terraces, courtyards and pools that captured sunlight and composed views with understated sophistication. Interior concepts were commended for their measured balance between contemporary comfort and historic charm, while landscape strategies and material palettes strengthened the overall sense of coherence and harmony. Additional recognitions celebrated proposals that emphasized experiential sequences, sustainability and adaptable configurations, offering a vision of luxury that is both environmentally responsible and deeply rooted in place.

Terraviva warmly congratulates all participants for their creativity and commitment, whose remarkable proposals have contributed to reimagining the timeless spirit of the Tuscan countryside.

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

- Giancarlo Mazzanti (Bogotá, Colombia) | El Equipo Mazzanti
- Anastasia Kucherova (Milan, Italy) | Stefano Boeri Architetti
- Gregory Kahn Melitonov (Istanbul & Bodrum, Turkey) | Taller KEN
- Nathalie Rozencwajg (London, United Kingdom) | NAME Architecture
- Charles Tashima (London, United Kingdom) | Studio Tashima
- Martina Mitrović (Milan, Italy) | Vincenzo De Cotiis
- Mario Gentile (Philadelphia, United States) | Shiftspace
- Agnese Mazzei (Florence, Italy) | Agnese Mazzei Architetti

First Prize

TUSCAN TERRACES
Andrea Baldo, Gino Leonardo Brollo, Angelo Emilio Brollo
Italy – Argentina

About the First Prize – NATHALIE ROZENCWAJG – NAME Architecture

“The orientation and relationship of spaces demonstrate a strong understanding of the sun path – notably, the pool benefits from sunlight even in winter, and its proximity to the spa reinforces this seasonal usability. The pool design itself is elegant and harmoniously integrated with the landscape. The choice of materials and planting shows sensitivity and refinement, supporting a coherent dialogue between architecture and outdoor space.
The interiors are sophisticated, inserting contemporary elements in a respectful dialogue with the historic structures.
The keeper’s accommodation is well positioned and resolved.
Overall, the project displays a high level of care and precision in every aspect, from spatial organisation to detailing – the numerous “pocket” spaces around the site are particularly well considered and contribute to a rich, layered spatial experience.”

About the First Prize – MARIO GENTILE – Shiftspace

“The project demonstrates a strong spatial concept that transforms challenging topography into a design opportunity.
By using terraces, plazas, and circulation routes as connective and experiential elements, it achieves a seamless integration between architecture and landscape. The interplay of levels not only resolves the terrain but also enriches the sensory and social qualities of the site, creating spaces that feel both purposeful and poetic.
The presentation itself was very polished and visually engaging.”

About the First Prize – AGNESE MAZZEI – Agnese Mazzei Architetti

“The project demonstrates overall excellence.
The outdoor spaces are well resolved and effectively enhanced, showing great attention to detail and precision in graphic representation.
The color palette is balanced and coherent. The intervention is respectful, refined and elegant in its overall approach.”

Second Runner-Up:

Essentia
Mirko Speri, Martina Miatto
Italy

About the Second Runner-Up: – GIANCARLO MAZZANTI – El Equipo Mazzanti

“The multiplicity and diversity of paths within the interior and exterior program is interesting.
The “journey” conceptualization is well-driven and directs to different uses and users.
Landscape design and disposition stand out.”

Third Runner-Up:

RESPONSIBLE LUXURY. An Authentic Experience in Tuscany
Filippo Weber, Erik Dhont, Gloria Morichi, Doga Tiras, Jan Wincierz, Giulio Scatena, Lorenzo Boggian, Louis Buerms
Italy – Belgium – Turkey – Poland

About the Third Runner-Up: – ANASTASIA KUCHEROVA – Stefano Boeri Architetti

“The project stands out as a good balance between luxury and environmental sustainability, with studies on water and sun cycles to support the functional distribution. The flexibility of the internal layout based on different composition of inhabitants is appreciated.”

Fourth Runner-Up

TERRACOTTA TOUCH
Ivan Okhapkin, Tatyana Kozlova, Aleksandra Terenteva, Elizaveta Kokushkina, Marina Tsyganova, Daria Evstifeeva
Spain

About the Fourth Runner-Up – GREGORY KAHN MELITONOV – Taller KEN

“This project distinguishes itself through a strong proposal to add programmatic value, building out the space between the two existing structures beneath the ground-level datum.
It successfully preserves the historic buildings while introducing a third, contemporary element to accommodate potential additional needs, such as mechanical parking and storage, without “tacking on” to the Rustico.
Utimately, the proposal demonstrates a strong and original conceptual vision, distinguishing itself through clarity of intent and innovative interpretation of the brief offering clear opportunities for further development rather than resulting in a static or predictable outcome.”

Fifth Runner-Up

La Rinascita
Nathalie Scipioni, Yuqi Lai, Alissa Marouani
Australia

About the Fifth Runner-Up – NATHALIE ROZENCWAJG – NAME Architecture

“Material choices are sensitive and appropriate: retaining the rustico building in stone is convincing, and the treatment of the main house façade shows a careful balance between respect for history and contemporary expression. The plan is well resolved and internally coherent. (…)”