Villa Mosca Bianca, located on the shores of Italy's Lake Maggiore, perfectly melds contemporary high-tech living with gracious environmental sensitivity.
With direct lake access and a private dock, the home offers an exclusive waterfront lifestyle in a home that is a work of art.
Mosca Bianca in English a White Fly is according to a common metaphor in the Italian language, something very special compared to its peers, making it extremely rare and unique. When you sail on Lake Maggiore or admire its shores, one property will immediately catch your eye, thanks to its privileged location and stunning design: Villa Mosca Bianca.
Villa Mosca Bianca fully leverages its high vantage within a mature pine forest to capture breathtaking views of storied Lake Maggiore from almost every room in the home. Blending eco-friendly design with cutting-edge technologies and resort-worthy amenities, the estate for the ultimate lakefront lifestyle. Distinguished by walls of windows and projecting terraces, the design was intended to facilitate a relaxed indoor-outdoor lifestyle, encouraging activities such as yoga, reading, meditation plus alfresco dining and entertaining.
Environmental responsibility working in concert with architectural beauty, are paramount. Villa Mosca Bianca, with four bedrooms and five and one-half bath offers all this and more.
Set on a high vantage in a pine forest, the villa's terraced gardens were carefully carved to capture 180-degree views of the lake, the mountains, and the brilliant sunsets. The home is introduced by a sculpture garden that opens into a light-drenched ceiling-to-floor inner atrium with the lake views showcased beyond. Little wonder that the home was the setting for countless luxury brand advertising campaigns as well as features in international architectural publications.
The first level's sleek open concept living plan flows from room to room and also the outdoors with multiple terraces leading to the surrounding landscape and the lake beyond. These includes areas for formal, informal and al fresco dining, a chef's kitchen plus a living room and comfortable study. All the rooms are notable for the expanses of glass welcoming the outdoors in. Further flooding the home in natural light is a two-story garden atrium and is the core with which all the rooms radiate off of.
The second level is accessed by an artful staircase and reserved for the private living quarters, all which are en suite. The primary quarters are an oasis boasting resort-quality bath amenities and all the rooms on the second level open to balconies with soothing lake views. There is also a game room with a home theater, an outdoor kitchen, a meditation area and detached garage.
Sustainable features of the home include solar panels, heat pumps and passive ventilation, which help to reduce consumption by at least 60%, thanks also to optimal solar orientation. The atrium also serves as a passive rainwater collection system for the villa. A fruit and vegetable garden offers an abundance of organic produce.
Lake Maggiore is Italy's second-largest lake with the snowy tips of the Alps in the distance and islands with lush gardens in the middle of the lake. Lake Maggiore was featured in Ernest Hemingway's novel, A Farewell to Arms, when the protagonist and his lover must row across the lake in order to escape the Italian Carabinieri.
Milan Malpensa International Airport is some 25 miles away and Milan's city center—Italy's business and fashion capital—is 50. The Swiss border is within an hour's drive.
Villa Mosca Bianca is a work of art, where you can live in. The concept of the building, the outdoor areas and gardens, reflects modern liberty style. The designers, builders and craftsmen have written architectural history and have chosen the perfect location for doing it. Lesa and the neighboring municipality of Meina are home to famous villas such as Villa Campari (Silvio Berlusconi) or Villa Mondadori (Donatella Versace) and other extravagant properties and palazzi. Villa Mosca Bianca is positioned in a context of private residences with access and paths not accessible to the public. Maximum attention to the construction details, the colors, the finishes with different materials, targeted plantings, and the use of avant-garde plant technologies, represent the design elements that improve the impact of the building on the characters of the context landscape and intervention area. Interiors were decorated in a neutral palette that was chosen to minimize any distractions from the scenery. Stone is used throughout the spaces to introduce a natural tone and texture to the otherwise minimal aesthetic. A brushed brass fireplace surround subtly repeats the architectural curves. The bespoke ceiling fixture is handmade by UK artisans. The rooms almost merge with the landscape thanks to the frameless sliding glass doors. Many interiors include natural stone, completely unpolished and unsealed. Unsealed travertine is so much more beautiful and natural than when it's completely machined over. The various levels of outdoor terraces create different opportunities for enjoying the lake, from socializing at the water's edge to private contemplation closer to the house. Design and architecture by Arch. Dara Huang (Design Haus Liberty, London – Hongkong) as well as Arch. Manzetti Roberto (Arona, Italy). Landscape Architect Colin Okashimo Associates. The creative vision of Design House Liberty, the villa's sleek contemporary architecture and breathtaking views have been featured in several architectural journals.
It has also served as a location for photo shoots for international luxury brands.