VILLA HILDA
- Merano
- 2024
- Residential
In the exclusive residential district of Merano, the project brings a historic villa from 1932, expanded in 1951 according to the design of architect Hermann Delugan, back to life. The goal was to preserve the identity of the house, respect its typological, aesthetic, and structural essence, and at the same time provide contemporary, comfortable living.
The villa is brought back to its original proportions through a carefully calibrated lowering of the terrain on the south side, allowing the ground floor to stand free and restoring balance to the façades. New symmetrical openings enhance the natural light in the rooms. Even the roof profile is corrected from asymmetries accumulated over time, restoring its harmony.
Functional additions, such as two external stair volumes, approach the existing building with respect and restraint. Each new intervention is deliberately legible, reversible, and contemporary without competing with the historic structure. The former garage is transformed into an independent mint green guest annex, connected to the villa, subtly referencing its original function through doors and windows.
The material approach follows the same philosophy. The plaster is restored in a delicate cream tone, harmonizing with the light green larch wood windows and metallic details, reminiscent of the city’s most iconic buildings, such as the Wandelhalle on the Innpromenade.
The garden is carefully reorganized. Paths and changes in level naturally lead to the central fountain. New flowerbeds echo the lines of the façade, and the porphyry paving anchors the intervention in local tradition.
The villa spans four floors, including a new basement for the garage, which retains the character of the living spaces. Exposed concrete walls, focused lighting, and warm wood paneling at the entrance create a modern yet welcoming atmosphere.
On the ground floor are the main bedrooms with direct access to the garden, a fitness and spa area with sauna, steam bath, and a large indoor pool animated by colored ceiling disks. A suspended wood and glass staircase, illuminated by the Plusminus cascade by Vibia, becomes a central architectural element.
The first floor preserves the classic spatial layout. A central corridor separates service and representational areas. The living spaces unfold in a continuous sequence: lounges, dining area with an impressive fireplace, all rooms with direct access to the south-facing balcony and original stone balustrade.
The attic houses an intimate guest annex with exposed wooden beams and minimally defined furnishings, creating a cozy yet lively atmosphere.
The interiors combine old and new. White walls amplify light and airiness, while historic Tyrolean wood paneling meets modern wallpaper, exposed concrete ceilings, and iconic design pieces by Gaetano Pesce, Antonio Lupi, and hand-blown Murano glass chandeliers, creating a stylish and lively environment. The color palette of aqua green, midnight blue, and petrol harmoniously connects interior and exterior spaces.
The project interprets the past with respect and transforms it into the present, creating a villa that is vibrant, contemporary, and at the same time retains its historical identity.
