Casa-studio di Leonardo Ricci, Modernist villa in Monterinaldi, Florence, Italy.
Casa-studio di Leonardo Ricci is a modernist villa in the Monterinaldi area of Florence, built between 1949 and 1964. The structure uses multiple terraced levels integrated into the hillside, combining local stone with large glass surfaces and white plaster to create distinct interior zones for painting, design work, and living, with a library positioned at the highest point.
Leonardo Ricci designed and built this villa as part of a larger residential development project in Monterinaldi during the post-war reconstruction period. The project reflected how Italian architects were experimenting with new ways to merge modern living with the surrounding landscape through bold structural solutions.
The villa demonstrates how creative work and domestic life were merged by its designer into a single flowing experience. Large windows and open connections between spaces reflect the post-war belief that art and architecture should embrace the surrounding landscape.
The villa sits on a hillside and is accessed through terraced walkways and steps, so prepare for changing elevation throughout your visit. The various levels offer different views of the Florence landscape, and walking through the spaces takes time to fully appreciate the layout.
The building features an innovative outdoor living room concept where internal and external spaces blend together through structural design choices. This idea was unconventional for its time and shows how Ricci believed architecture could expand daily life beyond traditional walls.
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