Twisted House by Stefano Larotonda: A Bold Modern Villa Renovation in Italy’s Lake Region

A 1960s Modern Villa Reimagined for Contemporary Living

Twisted House by Stefano Larotonda exemplifies a modern villa renovation that embraces architectural transformation while preserving mid-century charm. Originally constructed in the late 1960s, this villa in Anzano del Parco, Italy, was rooted in modernist principles—compact volumes, clean lines, and minimalist materials. The new design reinterprets these features to meet the needs of contemporary living, introducing spatial reorganization, sustainable upgrades, and a refined material palette, all while celebrating the powerful geometry of the existing structure.

Redefining Volume and Void Through Architectural Rotation

One of the most striking aspects of this modern villa renovation is its sculptural treatment of the building envelope. The architectural intervention redefines the villa’s visual identity by manipulating solids and voids. The deliberate rotation between the two levels generates a dynamic facade, emphasizing the volumetric strength of the home. This reconfiguration not only enhances visual interest but also reestablishes spatial hierarchies, offering a renewed sense of rhythm and proportion in the architecture.

Interior Transformation: Two Apartments, One Harmonious Vision

Inside, the renovation introduces two distinct apartments, each designed with an intentional spatial orientation. Living areas are positioned to take full advantage of panoramic views of the pre-alpine lakes, while the more private, intimate rooms open toward a quiet garden. This dual orientation balances openness with seclusion, ensuring both dwellings maintain a strong connection to the natural landscape while respecting the privacy of residents.

A Bold Chromatic Language That Connects Inside and Out

The renovation’s design language is expressed through a thoughtful and bold chromatic strategy. The palette is primarily composed of green and grey, each selected for its capacity to relate to the surrounding environment. The green surfaces, with their smooth, continuous finish, mirror the natural tones of the garden and nearby lakes, while grey, textured elements emphasize architectural subtractions and depth. The acid-yellow doors serve as energetic punctuation marks—bright, unexpected entry points that infuse character and contrast into the subdued palette.

This chromatic minimalism extends across all architectural elements—floors, walls, windows, and doors—creating a cohesive and immersive spatial experience. Inside, the furnishing strategy continues this narrative, using yellow and green accents against a backdrop of solid oak flooring to reinforce continuity between the architectural shell and its interior life.

Artistic Integration on the Terrace Overlooking Lago di Alserio

The transformation culminates in a site-specific artistic intervention on the large terrace, accessible exclusively to residents. Overlooking Lago di Alserio, this outdoor space becomes both a viewing platform and a contemplative zone, merging architecture with art. It symbolizes the project’s ultimate goal: to enhance daily life through intentional design, rooted in place and responsive to time.

Twisted House: A Contemporary Dialogue with Modernist Foundations

Stefano Larotonda’s Twisted House is more than a renovation—it is a reinterpretation of a modernist villa through the lens of contemporary needs and artistic expression. This modern villa renovation harmonizes old and new, mass and void, interior and landscape. It is a bold architectural gesture that honors the past while pushing the boundaries of spatial and visual experience.

All photographs are works of Simone Bossi, Nicole Gaia