A Garden to Live In, with the Comfort of Opera: Discover how a bioclimatic pergola transformed a 1990s villa into an outdoor sanctuary of well-being
In Sarnico, overlooking the calm waters of Lake Iseo, a stately villa from the 1990s has found its new dimension. Following a refined renovation of the outdoor area and the swimming pool, the owners’ requirement was clear: to create a bridge between the solid architecture of the house and the wild beauty of the Bergamo hills. The result is a true garden to live in, with the comfort of Opera, where the outdoors is no longer just a frame to be admired, but a functional room to reside in.
The project, curated by Mirko Varischi Architecture Studio in collaboration with Tappezzeria Barbieri, stems from the original combination of two self-supporting Opera modules by Pratic. This architectural choice defines a 54-square-meter hub, independent in both form and function, capable of embracing daily life under the sign of visual continuity.
The Sequence of Domestic Life in the Open Air
The structural heart of this intervention lies in its spatial fluidity. By arranging the modules in a staggered configuration over a 9 x 6 meter surface, the designers created an articulated sequence of environments: a fully equipped kitchen, a dining room, and a convivial living area follow one another without barriers.
This setup allows for an authentic garden to live in, with the comfort of Opera, where natural ventilation is guaranteed by sun-shading blades that rotate up to 140 degrees. Integrated rain sensors complete the technological profile, ensuring total and automatic protection at the first hint of the bad weather typical of lake regions.
Materials and Colors in Dialogue with the Context
The success of an elite outdoor project depends on the chromatic dialogue with the environment. A light paint finish in écru shades—balancing between gray and green—was chosen for the Opera structure, specifically designed to blend in with the surrounding botanical context.
To protect the area from the winds that characterize the lakeshore, cutting-edge technical solutions were integrated:
- Raso Vertical Awnings: They disappear into the structure and, thanks to the Screen fabric, guarantee privacy and solar protection.
- Slide Glass 60 Windows: Sliding and transparent, they offer total perimeter closure without interrupting the visual connection with the horizon.
Light and Evening Atmosphere
When the sun sets over the hills, the project reveals its most evocative soul. A perimeter lighting system with white LED Lines and Spot Light fixtures integrated into the blades transforms the pergola into a glowing lantern on the lake shore. Every element is adjustable via remote control, allowing the atmosphere to be calibrated for every occasion.
This custom-made realization demonstrates how design can elevate the concept of the outdoors. It is the ultimate expression of a garden to live in, with the comfort of Opera, where architecture, landscape, and well-being meet under the sign of the purest design.
Photo: Flavio Graffi
