House Margarita, a Place of Relaxation
Passing by the
and Restoration
House Margarita is a company dedicated to
agritourism. The main building, with portions
of the structure possibly dating back to the
16th century, is undergoing restoration and
repurposing by the owners.
The villa will be divided up into a series of
eleven apartments, conference rooms and a
spa. An outdoor swimming pool is to be
added to the east of the building along with
terraces and other outdoor amenities.
The overall size of the property is 26
hectares including large walnut orchardsand
chestnut-oak forests and vineyards.
There are many water sources on the site
including a large lake and a pond next to the
villa.
Goals for the landscape design:
Low impact development.
Wholistic healthy lifestyle.
Embrace the history of thev villa and town.
Economic sSustainability.
Activities in Villa Casa Margarita
Reception (R) and Parking (P1-P2)
The user arrives mainly by car, in this case
arrives via a drop-off zone to the reception
area (R) and then parks in the parking area
number 1 (P1). Also in case of a large
number of visitors, there is a second parking
area available (P2). Fromt this lot the visitor
walks through terrace number 2 (T2) before
entering the villa. From this terrace the
guests have a view of the landscape.
If the visitor arrives by foot from Cremolino,
they can access the villa, through the
entrance number 2 (G2).
courtyard, the visitor can go directly to the
reception area.
Active Open Space: Pool area
The feature of this area is the view towards
the prairie to the west. This pool
(PP)receives direct sun in the afternoon, and
receives shade from the proposed trees on
the grass panel (G1) adjacent to the walk
around the pool. The swimming pool is
adjacent to a water feature. A sheet of water
falls into the pool, giving the appearance of a
small cascade of water (W1).
The pool is surrounded by walks that also
serve as terraces (T1), which connect,
through a door to other exterior areas, such
as the courtyard (CC).
Resting Open Space: Courtyard
The characteristics of this area are based on
the Italian Renaissance garden type. This
includes axes and symmetrical forms and
spaces. Sitting on the bench in this area, the
user observes the circular and curveinear
forms of this space, which give the
impression of smoothness, that introduces
the following space, the corridor. It is so
important to note out that from this point the
user sees the waterfall, (W2) that is at the
end of the corridor (C).
As a space with Italian Renaissance
elements, the proposed ornamental shrubs
(Bay, Lauris noblis) are hedged to
emphasize the semicircular narrow
passages (Pa). The Bay hedges are by five
feet tall and serve as visual screens. Also
adjacent to the retaining wall are planting
beds of medicinal herbs, alternated with
flowers. These plantings are consistent with
the restoration concept.
Transition Open Space: Corridor or walk
water (C)
Continuing with the theme of restoration and such as pink clover, drak green alfalfa or
relaxation, after having toured the courtyard, borders of lavender.
we continue with the characteristic symmetry
of the Italian garden. A rectangular corridor 808127
of 3.60 m. wide by 6.00 m. long. The corridor
is characterized by the presence of water
along its central axis, as a channel that falls
through as a narrow channel-cascade. By
going up through the steps of the corridor,
smelling the Jasmine (planted along the side
walls of the corridor), we reach the goal, the
waterfall (W2). The vaterfall is visible from
the courtyard and serves as an important
focal point.

Meditation Open Space: Pond area

After the visitor reaches the waterfall (W2),

there are lateral gates that are not visible
from the courtyard. Since the corridor is
narrow and shaded, the expansion into the
pond area space is a surprise. The pond area
includes interior terraces that connect the
visitor to the vineyards and the meditation
garden.

The Meditation area is characterized by

being under the shade of the trees, giving it
the sensation of a shelter. The user can sit
on the benches and observe the pond as part
of the meditation. One can also walk down
steps to the pond or use the steps as seating.

Interior terraces

The terraces serve as view points to several

places at the same time including the
courtyard, the vineyards, the pool and the
meditation area.

Outdoor terraces

These terraces are next to the arrival points

from which the user can observe the
background of the walnut orchard , the
mysterious forests of oak and chestnut. The
prairie is an attractive foreground, for this
scene. The current prairie of grass might be
augmented with the color of various crops