Amid a field of green in Italy’s Riviera del Brenta, a new family home sits like a monolith of concrete and stone. The modern, single-story residence is a unique construction that was designed to make the most of its beautiful location.

The angles and placement of the glass in 160 House by MIDE Architetti come together to create privacy and shield the most intimate sections of the home while opening up the views and enjoyment of the large private garden.

The Riviera del Brenta is actually an area that belongs to the Metropolitan City of Venice. It has great tourist and cultural interest because of its architectural heritage: Between the 15th and 18th Centuries, the nobles of the Venetian Republic built Venetian villas along the Brenta river.

Imposing Exterior

Designers created the shape of the house to create a functional interior layout while featuring the best outdoor exposures with oversized glass sections. They also designed the sections of the house to suit two distinctly different purposes: To the south, the large windows face out over the countryside and a portico. To the north facing the road, the façade is closed, offering privacy from passersby.

The living area takes up the western side of the home and includes the kitchen and the living room. In a unique twist, the living room extends toward the outside, protected by a covered space.

Functional, Relaxed Interior

Fireplaces both inside the living space and out on the adjacent patio make for a cozy centerpiece in each area. To maintain the relaxed, clean look of the home, the sofa choice was the Cassina 675 Maralunga Maxi/40 Maxi 3-seater sofa designed by Vico Magistretti. It is actually a contemporary take on a legendary best-seller by Cassina, which holds the tech patent for the bicycle chain that controls the adjustable angle of the backrest.‎ This one is upholstered in leather.

Minimalist Kitchen

In the kitchen, a mix of chairs are used at the sleek kitchen table, including the VitraDKR-5 Steel chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames. The back and seat are made from care-free bent and welded steel wire that has been powder-coated.‎ It can be used unupholstered or with the addition of removable seat cushions and/or back pads.‎

This Eames design is a variation on the organically shaped one-piece seat shell that is both light and technologically sophisticated.‎

Serene Private Spaces

Bedrooms, bathrooms and the walk-in closet are sequestered from the public spaces in the eastern wing of the building. A spacious master bedroom has its own bathroom suite and the walk-in closet has loads of natural light thanks to a large glass door that faces south. This also means that the space also has a gorgeous view of the garden.

In the bathroom, the sleek minimalist fixture is from Ceadesign’s GIOTTO Collection. The wall-mounted hydroprogressive washbasin mixer was designed by Natalino Malasorti and helps keep the vanity uncluttered.

The abundance of windows and natural light helps meld the indoor and outdoor spaces from a visual perspective, opening up the interior layout to the vistas beyond. From the physical perspective, the home opens up to the outside through the porch.

Altogether, the minimalist design creates a serene yet comfortable family space that takes full advantage of its surroundings.