MORQ Balances the Natural Landscape and Architecture with Villa RA

Villa RA Complements The Stunning Italian Hills of Calabria

Project:
Villa RA
Architects:
MORQ
Location:
Calabria, Italy
Photography:
Givlio Aristide
Words:
Caroline Meeusen

Between the hills of beautiful Calabria, Italy sits a mysterious, earthy-toned villa designed by MORQ Architecture. Villa RA frames the stunning vistas with its intriguing architecture featuring many windows and expansive openings. The minds behind this project are the architects of MORQ, founded by Matteo Monteduro, Emiliano Roja, and Andrea Quagliola. The firm is known for its projects internationally but at the same time offers a unique local approach being based in Italy and Australia.

“We are dedicated to the making of architecture: meaningful spaces within simple and thoughtful buildings. In dialogue with existing conditions, whether natural or built, we see constraints as a starting point for our design, rather than impediments to our creativity. We like spaces that are intimate yet open, engage with shades of natural light, change throughout the day, and are activated by the emotive and sensorial qualities of materials,” the studio states. A design philosophy that is visible in their Villa RA.

The residence appears as a long horizontal building with sand-colored facades. It consists of three rectilinear volumes that lie parallel to each other. You’re welcomed by an entryway leading to the next volume which accommodates the living room, kitchen, and guest rooms. In the third volume, there’s the veranda and master bedroom. According to the studio, the design is similar to the traditional Italian villas since it is based on an axial organization as its primary ordering system.

The landscape, being a dramatic and important feature in the project, is put in the spotlight by the neutral color palette, materials, minimalistic interior, and of course, the several large openings and windows framing the surroundings. These elements make this the ideal summer getaway providing a haven of tranquility, harmony, and natural beauty. The simple yet refined interior and paired-back color and material palette make the unique geometry of the home and the view stand out, creating a harmony between the architecture and the natural landscape.