Maremma House

Father & Son Architects Design a Personal Holiday Home That Echoes the Tuscan Horizon

It took a two year journey for Florence based architects and father and son Andrea and Luca Ponsi, to explore the Tuscan region and identify a spot to make their vision of a personal holiday home a reality. From ruins to remodels, seaside apartments to ancient villas, the duo considered numerous options before discovering an inland site of spectacular beauty and tranquility, tucked away in the hills between the medieval villages of Magliano in Toscana and Pereta. 

Set within an open field with uninterrupted views of vineyards, olive groves and out to sea, this holiday home in Italy captures and reflects the horizontal aspects of the landscape. Settled in stratified layers, with strong linear lines that seamlessly connect with the scenery, the home was designed as a modern version of classic Mediterranean homes. 

Blocks of locally quarried Tufa stone form its foundation, physically and symbolically joining it to the region, while the second and third levels build and finish in a nautical theme emphasizing the home's proximity to the sea. 

At once settled and ethereal, it's a sensory journey that links architecture and design with a sense of proportion, balance and harmony with nature.

With sweeping views of Monte Argentario and the islands of the Tuscan archipelago in the distance, this holiday home in Italy is a personal labor of love and imagination.

Designed by father and son architects from Florence-based Studio Ponsi, the home is inspired by and intimately connected to this landscape. 

Built on three levels, its horizontal lines reflect its natural surroundings. Constructed with locally quarried volcanic tufa-stone, the home's modern silhouette was designed in the centuries-old regional building tradition with white stucco walls inspired by typical Mediterranean architecture.

The ground floor features two bedrooms and utility rooms while the main level includes the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area that open out to a spacious terrace, gardens, and sparkling pool.

An outdoor steel staircase leads to an upper terrace and the en suite master bedroom, which is also accessible from an indoor staircase. The overall design of the house, along with the external staircases, the interior wood paneling and unique brass and copper details lend a nautical feel to the home, referring to the sea out in the distance: offering panoramic views over the hills all the way to the Tyrrhenian Sea and its islands.

GROSSETO PROVINCE

Characterized by flat plains, gentle hills and its proximity to the sea, the Maremma area on the southern coast of Tuscany is an idyllic and quiet corner of Grosseto Province.

A charming and rural vineyard dotted area, it's bordered by Monte Amiata to the east and the Tyrrhenian coast to the west. Nearby there are several wonderful medieval towns to explore including Pereta and Magliano in Toscana. A natural archipelago region, both Giannutri, and Giglio are within a short boat ride. The nearby town of Orbetello stretches across a small strip of land in the middle of the lagoon and unspoiled marshlands and the former island of Monte Argentario is connected to the mainland via narrow sandbars. 

The gorgeous Uccellina National Park set along the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Marina di Alberese beach is an hour's drive and the beaches of Giannella are within a half-hour.  

The curious and fantastical Giardino dei Tarocchi (Tarot Garden) dedicated by designer Niki de Saint Phalle’s is an hour south and the Thermal baths of Saturnia are an hour southeast. The Tufa towns of Pitigliano and Sorano are an hour east.

Ideal for vineyard hopping, start with Poggio Antico in Montalcino and grab a winery map from the Wine Roads office in town to explore further. The beautiful Val d'Orcia, Montalcino, and Siena are within an hour's drive, as are Pienza and Montepulciano. Further afield in just under two hours are Pisa, Florence and Perugia.

LOCATION

Maremma, Toscana, Italy. Nearest Airport: Rome, Fiumicino (158km)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round and especially in summer to enjoy the warm coastal weather and pool.