Contemporary Villa With 360-degree View Of Pisa's Hills

Located on top of one of the highest hills in the Pisan hills, in a commanding position with a 360-degree view of the medieval castle of Lari, this 2016 complex was designed by architect Alberto Bartalini — the creator of Andrea Bocelli’s Teatro del Silenzio — and built by architect Daniele Luci. The property is the result of the conversion of an old farm building into a 1,165-sqm complex comprising a main villa and two annexes, with five bedrooms, nine bathrooms, an 80-sqm bio-design swimming pool with hydromassage, energy class A4, integrated home automation and a comprehensive security system. The architectural style seamlessly blends traditional Tuscan building materials such as stone, wood, terracotta bricks and iron with contemporary solutions of the highest standard, resulting in a design that compromises neither on comfort nor on the character of the location.

Access is via a driveway gate with a wrought-iron grille set against a travertine wall, leading onto the internal driveway lined with cast-iron lampposts and perimeter night lighting. The entrance to the main villa features a double built-in wardrobe with mirrors and leads into the double-height space created by the travertine and glass staircase rising towards the attic — one of the most successful architectural elements of the entire project. The spacious living room, with a central fireplace fitted with a roof-mounted extractor fan, opens out through large sliding glass doors on two sides — towards Lari Castle to the west and towards the garden to the north — making the rolling landscape a constant companion to daily life.

The kitchen, featuring a fitted island, is a space designed to combine everyday functionality with entertaining guests. A fireplace-barbecue with a roof-mounted extractor fan allows for the use of large grills and rotisseries, while the built-in wine cooler and adjacent pantry complete a professional-grade cooking area. The kitchen connects to the living room, the entrance hall and, via a goods lift, to the drive-in basement.

The sleeping area of the main villa is secured by a security door that clearly separates the private corridor from the communal areas. The master bedroom features a walk-in wardrobe, a dressing room with built-in cupboards and a bathroom clad in travertine. The second bedroom, also fitted with a security door, has direct access to the outside and an en-suite bathroom. The attic, which is bright thanks to big windows and connected to the large sun terrace, can easily be converted into a third bedroom for the villa. This space also has a bathroom clad in travertine. The floors in the bedrooms and corridor are parquet, creating a subtle contrast with the travertine in the communal areas.

The first building encountered from the gate houses a garage, laundry room and utility room on the ground floor, and another garage with a heat pump boiler in the basement. The second building is the heart of outdoor living: the loggia, with its wooden ceiling and terracotta tiles in perfect Tuscan style, has been enclosed with a folding glass system that can be opened fully onto the garden, and houses a built-in oven, as well as a gas hob, fridge, dishwasher and sink: effectively a fully-fledged kitchen area ideal for hosting lunches and dinners in spring and summer.

The swimming pool measures approximately 80 sqm and includes a hydromassage area with air jets — a solution that simulates the effect of a natural biolake, a theme also echoed in the surrounding garden. The pool area features an outdoor shower with hot and cold water, changing rooms and toilets. The 4,000-sqm garden is meticulously maintained: cypresses, ash trees, olive trees, pines, holm oaks, fruit trees, citrus plants in large planters and gazebos with parasols complete a botanical landscape of great harmony and beauty. The automatic irrigation system draws water from a cistern fed by a private well. Night-time lighting, featuring cast-iron street lamps, lanterns and wall lamps, illuminates every corner of the grounds.

Heating and cooling are provided by a heat pump with geothermal wells that can be integrated with a wood-fired boiler; underfloor cooling is used, while lighting and systems are managed via home automation. The 30 kW photovoltaic system and the 20 kW generator ensure energy self-sufficiency.