A modernist villa nestled in the hills of Castelli Romani, Italy, has been transformed into a contemporary family home that pays homage to Frank Lloyd Wright's organic architecture principles. The renovation, completed by STUDIOTAMAT—an agency founded by Tommaso Amato, Matteo Soddu, and Valentina Paiola—successfully bridges the gap between historical memory and modern living requirements.
Originally designed in the 1960s for a cosmopolitan couple who had traveled the world for work, the house was conceived as a summer residence inspired by Wright's organic architectural philosophy. The design team immediately recognized numerous elements that reflected this spirit during their first visit. "From the first visit, we recognized many elements close to this spirit: the essential lines of the plan, the absence of superfluous ornaments, the use of natural materials such as wood and exposed stone, and fireplaces as the central point of convivial spaces," the designers explained.
The renovation focused on preserving the villa's original character while adapting it for contemporary family life. The property's location between Grottaferrata and Frascati allows its current owners—Daniele, an executive at a technology multinational, and Sara, managing director of a consulting firm, along with their three daughters Fiamma, Sole, and Celeste—to enjoy a lifestyle in harmony with nature without sacrificing urban proximity. "The project was born from a constant dialogue between architecture and landscape," the architects noted. "We respected and reinterpreted the historical and material signs of the original building, thus fitting into a tradition that, in the Castelli Romani, combines nature, vacation, and memory."
The architectural team maintained authentic materials such as stone, exposed brick, wood, and concrete, reinterpreting them through combinations that enhance natural light throughout the space. "During the renovation, we chose to preserve the original architectural elements, which also inspired the design of some furniture," explains Matteo Soddu, co-founder of STUDIOTAMAT. "I think, for example, of the bay windows in the kitchen and Sara's office, on the upper floor, which share a central diamond pattern reminiscent of the 1950s grilles present throughout the house. It was a work of balance: here, stimulating and relaxing environments coexist in perfect harmony."
From the entrance, visitors can appreciate the meticulous attention to detail demonstrated by STUDIOTAMAT, expressed through a custom-made cabinet covered with Viceversa Monet fabric from L'Opificio, featuring tanganyika walnut borders of timeless elegance. The original beech wood entrance door, restored along with the windows, also preserves the dwelling's historical identity, maintaining an authentic link with the past. In the living and dining rooms, the fireplaces, restored to their original splendor, integrate with the stone walls, creating welcoming spaces dedicated to conviviality and relaxation.
The wooden staircase, visible from the entrance, serves as the central element of the space and organizes the day and night areas in a balanced manner. To the east, a single stone wall houses the fireplace integrated into the conversation space, while two large sofas dominate the television area. The space also includes a guest bathroom covered with Colony wallpaper—inspired by exotic vegetation—and equipped with a sculptural DevonDevon sink that evokes 1920s and 1930s design aesthetics.
The western side opens onto a 430-square-foot American-style kitchen, characterized by a custom-made Persian red travertine central island with cooking plates, an integrated hood, and a teppanyaki plate. The dining area features a bench under the window, offering an intimate space for family meals, while a series of sliding doors conceals refrigerators, cupboards, and two secret passages to the service area and secondary stairs. A full-height powder-coated glass partition delicately separates the kitchen from the dining room, with the Persian red travertine countertop serving as the absolute protagonist, attracting attention with its warm and textured veins.
The furniture throughout the space reflects the owners' eclectic tastes, with vintage pieces alongside contemporary design icons. In the living room, 1970s Marenco sofas by Arflex dialogue with Rammendi coffee tables by Punto Zero, while Marcel Breuer's Cesca chairs for Knoll complete the dining room alongside a special table from Punto Zero's Big collection, glossy lacquered and customized in color to reflect light and amplify the visual depth of the space.
The upper floor features oak parquet flooring in the bedrooms, which overlook the main staircase and are connected by a continuous cream-colored resin pathway. Sara's office, characterized by a custom bay window and a wide view of the terrace, serves as a refuge of light and inspiration, made intimate by the ceiling painted in Tuscan Red by Little Greene. The main bedroom features a wall covered with Colony wallpaper that adds character and conceals access to the adjoining bathroom, a small wellness sanctuary with a bathtub and built-in arabesque marble sink.
The daughters' bedrooms reflect their personal tastes through custom furniture, cotton velvet from L'Opificio, and Disney Home wallpapers that create a playful yet refined atmosphere. Between the two bedrooms, the sink area is delimited by custom-made furniture in pigeon blue galvanized iron and Tivoli tiles by Cristina Celestino for Fornace Brioni, transforming the space into an elegant common passage.
The journey concludes with the attic, which offers a breathtaking view of Rome. The terracotta rubber flooring by Artigo delimits a space dedicated to relaxation, cinema, and games—an intimate and welcoming place where children can spend time freely and where the family finds moments of calm and sharing during the winter months. "Contemporary design cannot ignore a conscious relationship with history and place," concludes Matteo Soddu. "Attention to detail, the choice of local materials, and attention to daily life were already very present, even if they reflected a lifestyle from sixty years ago. Our intervention was born precisely from the desire to make these values dialogue with the demands of contemporary life."
