Renovation of a mid-20th-century villa on the Ligurian coast: Villa La Badia

 Santa Margherita Ligure, Ligurian Riviera, Genoa, Italy

Architecture: Marco Lecchi  

Interior design: Serena Mignatti

Photography © Dario Borruto 

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The renovation of a typical 1950s building that needed to be restored to its former glory. Today, Villa La Badia presents a blend of eclectic lines and contemporary forms that interact harmoniously in keeping with the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi. Typical elements of mid-20th-century Italian architecture blend seamlessly with features of the contemporary renovation. The result is a perfect harmony between the exterior and interior, where comfort and a love for this beautiful building take centre stage.

Serena Mignatti: ‘This isn’t your typical seaside spot; it’s a true retreat from the world, where you can enjoy the power that only nature can unleash.’

Serena Mignatti: ‘The aim was to bring beauty into the interior, just as the landscape does, with its variety of shades of green and colours. The scent of the Ligurian Sea, its dark and powerful colour, which is constantly changing. I always try to turn perspectives on their head and break down physical, architectural and conceptual boundaries’

The designer has chosen soft, natural tones that envelop the entire architecture, harmonising with the lighter, richer shades of the exterior typical of the Ligurian coast. There are no contrasts, only a connection between the different parts and a sense of visual and material unity, giving all the rooms in the villa a soft, velvety feel. 

Serena Mignatti: “My projects always strive for balance. For the Badia villa, I took the clients’ eclectic tastes into account, drawing on the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which helped me to preserve the existing elements and create new harmonies.”

The project spans 460 square meters of interior space and 680 square meters of terraced outdoor gardens and a swimming pool.

The most striking feature of the garden is the swimming pool, which flows seamlessly into the sea. The horizon and the pool merge into one.

Serena Mignatti: “The project, coordinated by architect Marco Lecchi, also involved a complete redesign of the garden and swimming pool. In addition, other areas were redesigned so that guests could enjoy the views in an unrivalled, idyllic setting.”

The villa offers breathtaking views across the whole of the Gulf of Tigulli