MIDE architetti

Historic Architecture Meets Contemporary Living: Attic Renovation in a 16th-Century Villa

Within a 16th-century villa overlooking the Riviera del Brenta, just steps from Villa Pisani, this project blends historical heritage with contemporary interior design. The restoration of the ancient attic—now a bright and refined penthouse—enhances the villa’s original identity while introducing a renewed sense of comfort and modernity.

Large openings on all four sides fill the spaces with natural light, emphasizing the dialogue between the historic structure and the new architectural intervention. The river-facing open space combines living room, dining area and kitchen in a fluid, airy layout, while the more intimate sleeping area looks onto the English-style garden.

A central staircase leads to the mezzanine, a hybrid zone designed for both study and relaxation, directly connected to the dormer window on the main façade. Neutral resin flooring, dark wooden beams and restored original plasters create a balanced, material harmony. Interior volumes—intentionally set below the height of the beams—maintain visual continuity throughout the attic.

Iconic design pieces, including Vitra’s Lounge Chair & Ottoman, Gaetano Pesce’s Up Series armchair for B&B Italia and Gae Aulenti’s Pipistrello lamps, interact with artworks by Lorenzo Puglisi, adding emotional depth and a unique identity to the interiors.

The result is a home that merges different eras with elegance, bringing together tradition, design culture and modern living. A contemporary penthouse that reinterprets the villa’s historic legacy and transforms it into a luminous, intimate and sophisticated retreat.