origins
From rural residence to structure of representation, even intended for physical and intellectual pleasures
evolution
born as center for agricultural organization besides a place of recreation. Villas as agricultural ensemble then, but even monumental villas.
spreading
used for territory’s defense purpose primarily, later a well-being’s index, now a sign of the need to recover a man-nature relationship
shapes
changed by architectural styles over the centuries, re-defined by local materials and budgets availability
structure
Simpleness of towers and courtyards, with any pomp. Stairways, exedras and wide volumes, in any case loggias open to nature
ornamental elements
fountains, friezes, volutes, lanterns, stuccoes and mural frescoes, balustrades, locks, weathervanes, shelves, and many more.
the evolution
One of villa’s architecture characteristics is a reuse of pre-existing buildings. Issue about how to transform spaces was fixed by a total masking of the building mostly, that avoided a complete destruction (rare for economic reasons and historical fidelity both).
In the 16th century, natural heirs of hunting lodges will become the small “villas of delight” combining recovery of historical parts with new spaces, large rooms and numerous loggias.
17th century villa developed architectural values bearing an accentuated taste for what is monumental. Building became impressive with rich decorations usually enhancing businesses with family’s virtues. Graceful Italian gardens born to lighten villas’ splendor, whose fashion would continue up to the full 18th century. Unfortunately, this trend will be replaced (causing serious losses) by the preference for the romantic English garden. There’s not just a mere difference in styles: a rational garden, symbol of man’s dominion over the cosmos, is replaced by a park as a contemplation of “wild” nature, a sort of return to the state of nature theorized by Rousseau.
