The stunning renovation was crafted by architect Antonio Zagaria.
Photo: Carlo Oriente
Dramatic Transformation of a 19th Century Italian Villa Comes with an Unexpected Twist
The home in Aversa boasts a modern courtyard and sculptural Edra furnishings that juxtapose the restored classic design
Under the guiding vision of architect Antonio Zagaria, a stunning renovation in the heart of Italy’s Aversa is redefining the concept of a courtyard. The home—located in a late 19th-century building—is centered on a striking and unexpected focal point: a Ficus Benjamina encased by a modernist iron-and-glass structure.
“When we first met, they told me that this house represented a dream for them,” Zagaria says of his clients. “For a long time, they have been toying with the idea of living in a villa—a place where they could arrive by car, enter the courtyard, and feel surrounded by the greenery of the garden.”
The couple envisioned a courtyard. Photo: Carlo Oriente
Zagara reimagined the home's staircase. Photo: Carlo Oriente
Zagaria’s project, just a few steps away from the city’s bustling shopping district and the historic Cathedral of Saint Paul the Apostle, faced several design hurdles in the early stages due in part to renovations of the past. Zagaria described the preliminary layout as a series of extremely divided rooms that interrupted the home’s natural flow. The architect’s solution was ultimately to gut the two-level property and start fresh.
Initially, the homeowners’ desire for a larger kitchen meant sacrificing the courtyard’s square footage. Thankfully, Zagaria got creative, conceiving the industrial-like pocket of glass and black metal casings that flood the updated room with natural light.
Large slaps of a richly veined marble animate the home's renovated bath. Photo: Carlo Oriente
Pieces from Edra compliment Zagara's design. Photo: Carlo Oriente
Elsewhere, Zagaria replaced heavy stairs leading up to the second story, where the children’s bedrooms are, with a more minimalist design of floating treads. “The pre-existing one was made of concrete and did not seem suitable in relation to walls that were already so important,” he says. “I therefore imagined a lighter solution with cantilevered steps anchored inside the walls and always covered in wood, one different from the other, starting from the first which is a large backlit platform.”
Other natural materials such as large slabs of marble and porcelain stone ground the interior, infusing the rooms with warmth and texture. Complementing Zagaria’s pristine design at every turn are contemporary selections from Tuscan furniture brand Edra. Here, the designer selected sculptural works that juxtapose the restitution of the home’s original architecture, creating an atmosphere that both paid homage to the past while being decidedly forward thinking.
More images below:
The home is in a 19th-century building. Photo: Carlo Oriente
An inspired mix of art and modern furnishings add to the home's updated atmosphere. Photo: Carlo Oriente
The focal point of the courtyard is a Ficus Benjamina. Photo: Carlo Oriente
The renovation gave the home a bright flow throughout. Photo: Carlo Oriente
Cover: The stunning renovation was crafted by architect Antonio Zagaria.
Photo: Carlo Oriente
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