HILLTOP VILLA
Umbria

2011-2012

Located in a small, isolated cluster of modern constructions at an altitude well over 600m, this holiday villa has a garden plot of about 680 square metres where nothing – save an outsize 'delusions-of-grandeur' fountain, the idea of the builder – has been done or added to improve the site.

There is much to conceal here – the house itself and the other buildings in the complex are not particularly distinguished –but there's quite a lot to reveal and enhance too: the wide open views over oak forests to neighbouring hills are quite spectacular, especially at sunset, and there's a glimpse of the dramatic castle of Parrano away to the south.

The plot slopes considerably, with a drop of around three metres from north to south; some terracing will therefore be necessary to provide flat, usable areas. The owners, who are only there during holiday periods, asked only that there be an alternative to parking cars right by the front door, that there be a spot from which to watch the sun set, that there be a small patch somewhere to grow tomatoes and courgettes while they're in residence for the summer and the garden be as low-maintenance and low-water as possible .

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