water, art, and architecture unite in a bespoke coastal retreat
Located in the tranquil landscape of Forte dei Marmi, Italy, Villa Apua, designed by PAN Architetti, emerges as a masterful fusion of contemporary architecture and refined art curation. With water as the defining element of the coastal residence, the architects involved antoniolupi from the very beginning in the design process, counting on the company’s high-level of customizable solutions. The collaboration resulted in a 270 square meter home that not only serves as a tranquil oasis but also as a gallery for the owners’ art collection, where antoniolupi’s tailor-made furnishings play a crucial role in blending art, nature, and architecture.
Villa Apua, designed by PAN Architetti | all images courtesy of PAN_Architetti
pan architetti elevates villa apua with antoniolupi collections
PAN Architetti collaborated closely with antoniolupi to ensure that every piece contributed to a cohesive and luxurious environment. Renowned for its expertise in working with premium materials, the Italian brand brings its design knowledge beyond the bathroom to enhance the broader living spaces of Villa Apua; its flexibility and rich material palette allowed the architects to tailor every detail to complement the Villa’s nature-connected character and the owners’ artistic vision, transforming it into both a private oasis and an art gallery.
art and contemporary design guided the design of the interior – ‘The Red Side’ by Massimiliano Pelletti
a walk through villa apua
The influence of water is immediately apparent upon entering Villa Apua. The expansive living area is designed to flow into the garden and pool, with large, full-height sliding glass doors blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. antoniolupi’s collections are prominently featured, with each piece chosen to enhance the residence’s connection to its surrounding landscape. The FOX sideboard from the Atelier_Living collection anchors the living area, while the presence of water outside is echoed in the fluid lines of the LOLLA armchair, contrasted by the sharp geometry of the OLIVER sofa – both designed by Carlo Colombo for antoniolupi. Marble coffee tables from the ORBIT line, designed by AL_Studio, complete the composition.
each piece of antoniolupi’s collections is chosen to enhance the villa’s relationship to its surroundings
The kitchen continues this harmonious narrative with a central ‘Wing’ table, handcrafted by Tuscan designer Marco Guazzini using Marwoolus®, creating a material and chromatic connection between the interior and the garden. Reflecting the client’s vision to integrate the home with the rich artistic and cultural heritage of the Versilia region, works by local artists and designers are exhibited throughout the villa. Including the photograph ‘Rosignano Solvay Sea III’ by Massimo Vitali, the sculpture ‘The Red Side’ by Massimiliano Pelletti and the white statuary Carrara marble and steel cable sculpture ‘Legami #12’ by Armenian sculptor Mikayel Ohanjanyan, this thoughtful curation of artwork, creates a cohesive dialogue between the living spaces, bedrooms, and the surrounding environment.
large, full-height sliding glass windows expand the living area to the outside – ‘Wing’ table by Tuscan designer Marco Guazzini.
The master bedroom, positioned for privacy and relaxation, showcases antoniolupi’s DUNE bathtub by Mario Ferrarini as a focal point in the bathroom. This space, characterized by its use of oak and travertine, provides a serene retreat with views of the intimate courtyard. antoniolupi’s INTROVERSO design sculptural washbasins in Carrara white marble by Paolo Ulian and COLLAGE mirrors by Luca Galofaro further enrich the master bathroom, integrating artistic elements into a luxurious setting.
the master bathroom, positioned on the ground floor, provides a serene retreat with views of the intimate courtyard
The first floor of Villa Apua houses the rest of the family’s sleeping quarters, where two suites, bathed in sunlight, offer panoramic views of the garden, horizon, and sea. These rooms blend with the home’s color and material palette, with the first bedroom featuring the ANIMA LIQUIDA LIVING boiserie/container system, which serves as a backdrop for Carlo Colombo’s CHARLIE bed, flanked by ROMA marble tables and complemented by the LOLLA armchair in matching fabric.
The en-suite bathroom balances Carrara White marble in sculptural elements like the FILORIGO washbasin by Paolo Ulian, and ORION bathtub by Mario Ferrarini with the geometric precision of Alpi Green marble in the boiserie, and CARTESIO shower system. Each detail reflects antoniolupi’s dedication to creating elegant, customized solutions that enhance both functionality and visual appeal.
