“The project was conceived as a dialogue between architecture and landscape, where every space is shaped by the views and the light of the Ligurian coast, transforming the house into a place of quiet retreat and emotional connection.”
— Serena Mignatti
VILLA BADIA BETWEEN PORTOFINO AND SANTA MARGHERITA LIGURE
Serena Mignatti leads the restyling of Villa Badia, with project coordination and site supervision by Marco Lecchi, transforming the residence into a place of emotional retreat overlooking the Gulf of Portofino. Spanning over 400 square meters, the property sits in one of the most evocative stretches of the Ligurian coast, where living becomes synonymous with calm, beauty, and well-being—a true place for the soul.
“The clients were looking to introduce a sense of poetry into a home that already had a strong identity, envisioning a space for family life, to be passed down through generations, but also a refuge from the pressures of the city. Among the home’s greatest assets are its generous scale and its views over the Mediterranean bays and surrounding hills,” explains the architect. “It was immediately clear that the key strengths were its location, the panorama, the garden, and the outdoor spaces. Every window frames a view—an ever-changing glimpse of Liguria stretching from Portofino to Rapallo.”
For this project, Mignatti selected a palette of soft, natural tones in continuity with the vivid colors of the Ligurian landscape. Each hue responds to its context, working in harmony with nature rather than competing with it, allowing the surrounding environment to remain the protagonist.
“Great care was taken in collaboration with the client to define every detail, making each corner unique—whether placing a lemon tree or bougainvillea in a precise location, or choosing lower vegetation to preserve specific views. Every space was conceived from the outside in. Indoors, one finds the tones of figs and lemons, as well as the colors of Portofino’s facades. I also wanted to bring the blue of the sea inside, while maintaining overall soft, understated interiors in a deliberately contrasting approach.”
The house is designed to be enjoyed year-round. In summer, dining and relaxation take place outdoors, while in winter they shift to the adjacent interior spaces.
In terms of interior design, the project favors a restrained approach, with essential furnishings that evoke a sense of timelessness and invite contemplation of the sea. “For the interiors,” adds Serena Mignatti, “I followed the clients’ eclectic taste, incorporating reclaimed objects and softening the concept of Wabi-Sabi. A significant travertine table designed by Emanuela Petrucci, discovered at the Salone del Mobile, was introduced. Existing elements were restored, including the dining table and the stone patio table, along with built-in cabinetry. Original travertine surfaces were preserved to recover the home’s authentic character. The staircase and handrail were retained, while floors were polished back to their original patina.
About
Alumna of Bernardo Secchi and Franco Purini at IUAV Venice, Serena Mignatti was born in Bologna but is a wanderer by instinct.
With a grounding in urban design, she later moved to Rome, where her career took shape through collaborations with international practices, eventually leading her to join the studio of Massimiliano Fuksas as Artistic Director.
Her design research is rooted in a deep sensitivity to materials, shaping simple, natural elements through a circular and regenerative architectural process. In her work, the memory embedded in materials engages in dialogue with the contemporary nature of constructed space.
Today, Mignatti designs luxury residences in prestigious settings, from a palace belonging to the Emir in Qatar to large-scale properties in New York, Rome, Monte Carlo, and London.
Her collaborations also extend to the cultural and hospitality sectors, including the design of the new headquarters of the Foreign Press Association at Palazzo Grazioli, completed in 2024
Photography: Dario Borruto
