Embedded in the sloping terrain

Villa Molli responds to the terraced geography between Lake Como and the forested hills above it. Positioned on a double-inclined site, the house sits along a historical path linking the northern lakeside villages. The composition draws on these topographical tensions, with two volumes positioned at either end of the site. They are connected below by a spacious living area and above by a panoramic terrace, orchestrating a carefully framed view of Comacina Island from a diagonal angle.

Shaped by slope and sequence

Rather than level the land, the design embraces the existing topography, resulting in a living space distributed across five subtly staggered levels. This cascading layout allows for a constant visual interplay with the lake, evolving as one moves through the interiors. Openings are modest on the lake-facing front but expand toward the northeast, drawing in the shifting light and colors of the island beyond.

A dynamic spatial narrative

Movement through the house becomes a choreography of contrasts—light and shadow, compression and openness, rest and activity. The separation between sleeping and living quarters adds to this rhythm, while pathways and thresholds become moments of sensory transition. The building’s structure reinforces this narrative by blending compositional clarity with poetic asymmetry.

Material continuity and innovation

Stone cladding unifies facade and roof in a contemporary interpretation of regional craftsmanship. Subtle roof tilts turn traditional stone joints into articulated surface treatments, reinforcing the house’s sculptural language. Each of the two volumes is rotated in relation to the terrain and surrounding architecture, referencing both vernacular forms and new spatial possibilities. A pool delineates the boundary between built form and landscape, anchoring the villa within its setting.

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