Villa Il Gioiello | Pierattelli Architetture | Florence, Italy

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Luxurious Mediterranean villa with green garden, pool and panoramic views of the mountains, showcasing elegant architectural design and landscape decoration for a premium lifestyle

Dialogue Between Past and Present

Situated on the hills of Arcetri, with views of historic Florence, Villa Il Gioiello by Pierattelli Architetture presents a deep conversation between heritage and modernity. The project transforms the majestic 1950s residence—named after the original Il Gioiello, once home to Galileo Galilei—into an exquisite family dwelling that respects Tuscan traditions while maintaining contemporary architectural solutions.

Distributed across five levels with a total area of 700 m², connected by both sculptural staircases and an internal elevator, the villa redefines a luxurious domestic lifestyle through proportions, light, and craftsmanship. Each floor tells a different aspect of Florentine life, blending restored historical elements with new modern amenities.

Restoring the Spirit of a Florentine Villa

The renovation preserves the structural integrity and spirit of the villa, enhancing its architectural identity through careful restoration and elegant interpretation. Original Tuscan elements—arched loggias, arched ceilings, restored parquet flooring and visible wooden beams—were preserved and restored.

Externally, the landscape and endless pool were reimagined in collaboration with landscape architect Gianì Medoro, a student of Pietro Porcini. The pool, tiled with white quartzite, serves as the central point of the garden, creating a bright horizon enhanced by terracotta pathways, stone terraces, and aromatic Mediterranean vegetation.

Reimagined Interiors and Spatial Continuity

The first floor maintains the majestic proportions typical of historic Florentine villas. The two-level relaxation area, adorned with a cruciform arched ceiling, becomes the social heart of the home. The restored parquet floor meets custom-made furniture from Pierattelli Architetture, while soft lighting accentuates the ceiling geometry.

The kitchen, designed as a modern interpretation of the traditional Tuscan hearth, combines handcrafted parquet kitchen cabinets with stone countertops in a minimalist composition. Adjacent to it, the dining room, featuring three arched windows with views of the garden, includes a striking steel and wooden Corten staircase, which functions as both a connector and sculptural accent.

In all rooms, the Pierattelli team designed custom furniture that highlights architectural geometry: a geometric bookshelf in Canadian maple with satin brass inserts and indirect lighting demonstrates material harmony within the home. On the mezzanine level, new spaces such as a home cinema and an audio room blend relaxation with precise design.

Private Spaces of Calm and Character

The master bedroom on the first floor opens onto a covered loggia, a private open room offering panoramic views of the Tuscan hills. A sculptural staircase in Canadian maple with a transparent railing gracefully ascends through the space, while the restored parquet floor laid in a tile pattern with border elements from Indian teak recalls the craftsmanship heritage of the villa.

The walls and ceilings are clad in maple paneling, integrating hidden doors leading to the wardrobe. The combination of tactile warmth and precise detailing transforms the bedroom into a sanctuary of refined luxury.

Below, in the basement, a gym and wellness area with sauna and spa zone embodies the perfect blend of traditions and modern lifestyle.

Light Over Florence: Guest Apartment on the Roof

The roof space, accessible via the main staircase, was transformed into a self-contained guest apartment, including a bright bedroom, relaxation area and private bathroom. A new steel floor spans most of the first level, increasing usable space and creating a dynamic vertical interaction between areas. Natural light penetrates through new roof windows, emphasizing the updated rhythm of space and the dialogue with Florence's sky.

History and Context: From Galileo’s Heritage to Contemporary Design

The name Villa Il Gioiello—literally “The Jewel”—carries deep historical significance. The original Villa Il Gioiello in Arcetri was the last home of Galileo Galilei (1631–1642), now preserved as a national monument. The modern Pierattelli Architetture project pays homage to this legacy of knowledge and observation, aligning architecture with light, landscape, and learning.

The building’s U-shaped layout encompasses an inner courtyard, while the street facade retains a disciplined geometric window arrangement from stone with delicate memorial details, connecting restoration to Florence’s architectural line.

Art, Material and Eternal Luxury

Art remains an essential part of the atmosphere at Villa Il Gioiello. Works by Alice Botti, Ettore Spalletti, Janis Kuneinis and Mario Schifano complement the interiors, creating a dialogue between Italian 20th-century art and the villa’s serene color palette.

The use of travertine, marble, Canadian maple, teak and satin steel ensures visual continuity between floors. Every connection—from staircase railings to brass details—reflects Italian craftsmanship in its most refined form.

Conclusion

Villa Il Gioiello by Pierattelli Architetture is a vivid testimony of Florence's dual identity: historical yet future-oriented, intimate yet monumental. Through careful restoration, material integrity and an architectural language rooted in Tuscan truth, the Pierattelli team created a residence that transcends time: a blend of memory, art and modern elegance, hovering above Galileo’s city.

Photographs © Pierattelli Architetture Villa Il Gioiello | Pierattelli Architetture | Florence, Italy