Villa Celestina, Modernist villa in Castiglioncello, Italy.
Villa Celestina is a modernist villa located in Castiglioncello on the Tuscan coast. The three-story structure displays expansive glass walls, columned porticos, and asymmetrical forms characteristic of rational architectural design from that era.
The villa was built in 1932 by architect Vittorio Cafiero, replacing an earlier structure from 1915 on the same site. It initially served as a residence for a high-ranking fascist official before changing its purpose after World War II.
The villa's name and layout reflect its original purpose as a social hub where the local elite gathered for events and celebrations during the 1930s and 1940s. Today visitors can see how the open interior spaces were designed to accommodate large groups and foster social interaction.
The villa sits between the railway station and the Mediterranean Sea at the edge of a large pine forest. Its location makes it easily accessible while creating an interesting contrast between the modern building and the coastal natural landscape.
From 2010 to 2014, the University of Pisa operated a marine biology research center inside the villa, using its spaces for scientific work and teaching. The building's brief transformation into an educational facility revealed how its flexible interior layout could serve purposes beyond residential or recreational use.
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