- Project: Cernusco sul Naviglio
- Architect: Anice Architettura
- Location: Italy, Cernusco sul Naviglio, Milan
- Year: 2023
- Area: 500 m2
- Photography: Guido Barbagelata, Lorenzo Gemmellaro
Located in Cernusco sul Naviglio, a refined suburb of Milan, the Martesana Luxury Villa is a statement of elegance and architectural clarity. Designed by Anice Architettura and architect Luca Gemmellaro, the 500 m² residence transforms an urban plot into a home defined by light, geometry, and sophisticated materiality. Completed in 2023, the villa merges function with form in every square meter.
Architecture Rooted in Balance
Spanning two floors, the villa revolves around a central sculptural staircase—wooden treads paired with an ornate wrought-iron railing. This centerpiece connects an open-plan ground floor to a mezzanine-level upper floor, establishing visual and spatial flow.
The façade introduces a dynamic layering of white and gray geometric volumes, projecting and receding to create rhythm and depth. It visually anchors the living spaces and frames the outdoor zones, including a triangular pool wall adorned with a cascading waterfall and iron cladding—an unexpected yet balanced visual contrast.
Interiors: A Dialogue of Texture and Form
The villa’s interiors speak a language of precision and warmth:
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The living area is defined by clean architectural lines and softened by rich materials and dense textures.
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Custom furnishings, like the iconic Plinto table, add sculptural elegance.
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A glass-railed mezzanine suspended with concealed anchors offers transparency and uninterrupted sightlines across the home.
From floor to ceiling, each material—glass, wood, iron, and plaster—has been selected for contrast, balance, and clarity.
The Role of Light and Geometry
Geometry guides every architectural gesture in the Martesana Villa. The volumes react intelligently to the lot’s urban context, while natural light enters through large custom-designed windows by deWol Industries, illuminating voids, edges, and surfaces throughout the day.
Artificial lighting further sculpts the mood, transitioning the home from bright daylight openness to evening intimacy.
Outdoor Living with Intent
The villa’s connection to its outdoor space is seamless. Terraces, a pool deck, and a guest pavilion extend the interior lifestyle into the open air. The same attention to geometry and detail is applied outside—providing shaded retreats, open social spaces, and aesthetic continuity.
The separate guest house mirrors the architectural language of the main residence, offering privacy with elegance and reinforcing the home’s emphasis on hospitality and comfort.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Contemporary Urban Living
The Martesana Luxury Villa by Anice Architettura challenges the stereotype of modern white-box homes. Through geometric nuance, spatial transparency, and rich detailing, it becomes a sculpted living experience—where every moment is framed by architecture.
This Milanese residence is more than a home—it’s a carefully choreographed composition of light, form, and atmosphere, designed to elevate modern life.
