Villa De Leo, Art Nouveau villa in Bagnara Calabra, Italy
Villa De Leo is an Art Nouveau residence in Bagnara Calabra with three stories and sophisticated architecture that blends modern concepts with Mediterranean building traditions. The structure sits strategically at the intersection of two streets with different slopes and incorporates this challenging position into its design.
Engineer Eugenio Mollino designed the villa in 1912 while adhering to new earthquake-resistant building codes that were introduced after the devastating 1908 tremor in the region. This made the structure an example of how safety standards were integrated into contemporary architectural practice.
The building displays Art Nouveau details in its facade and ornamental elements that were typical of the Italian coast at that time. These features shaped the local streetscape and reflected the artistic trends that were influential in the region then.
Visitors can view the exterior from Via Pinno and see its distinctive features from the street. The surrounding topography with sloped streets helps convey why this location was architecturally significant.
The building won a gold medal at the 1911 Turin Exhibition for its solution to constructing on two streets at different elevations. This award was early recognition of the innovative engineering and design work.
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