Courtyard of a Tuscan stone estate at sunset, with the arched winery on the left, the manor house on the right, a pergola and dining table framing the vineyard hills, and wooden chairs around a fire table among flowering planting

Competition Project

Memoria di Collina

Year: July 2025
Classification: Competition Project
Status: Competition entry
Location: Podere Santa Margherita, Italy
Team: Vesaire
Organizer: Terraviva
Area: 2,000 m²
Recognition: Community’s Choice Award, 2025

Rising amidst the vine-covered hills of Florence, Memoria di Collina — literally "The Memory of the Hill" — offers each guest a chance to carry home a piece of the unforgettable moments lived here. From the warm and inviting social areas of the Manor House to the elegant master bedrooms upstairs, and from the soothing spa and mixology lab in the rustico to the wine cellar, every corner is designed for a unique experience.

The central courtyard features a large communal table, an infinity pool, a fire pit overlooking the vineyards, and a yoga deck facing the sunset — each element turning everyday rituals into cherished memories. At the far end of the rustico lies the estate's winery, the beating heart of this retreat. Here, wines are crafted not only as a taste of the land, but also as bottled souvenirs of one's stay.

At the rear of the estate, a serene water feature begins beneath an old olive tree and flows gently over terracotta stepping stones into the infinity pool, quietly weaving together all corners of the site.

In essence, Memoria di Collina is more than a place to stay — it is a sanctuary where the spirit of Florence is captured in every detail and every moment becomes a memory to take home.

Plans & Section

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Site plan of the estate on the contoured hillside, with the manor house and the rustico around a courtyard of terracotta strips, the infinity pool and deck above, olive trees around and a parking court with a round planter. — 01Site plan — the manor house and rustico around the terracotta courtyard and infinity pool.

First floor plan of the manor house in terracotta tones, with master bedrooms and bathrooms off a central corridor, the stair hall and a sitting room. — 02First floor of the manor house — the master bedrooms.

Line section through the rustico with its spa, the vine-covered pergola with guests at a long table, and the two-storey manor house with bedrooms above living and dining rooms. — 03Section through the rustico, the courtyard pergola and the manor house.

Exterior Views

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Dusk view of the stone rustico with its red plastered winery wall and arched glazed openings onto the wine cellar, with a family relaxing on wooden chairs and torches along the cobbled path. — 01The rustico, with the winery and wine cellar behind arched glazing.

A woman in the infinity pool below the courtyard, with terracotta stepping stones over water leading past the pergola and dining table to the stone spa building. — 02The infinity pool and the stepping stones across the courtyard.

Stone spa building with a red arched opening onto a massage room, and a couple in a small outdoor pool in front among lavender. — 03The spa in the rustico, opening onto a plunge pool.

A family arriving with suitcases at the stone manor house with green shutters and a tower, beside a round planted fountain and flowering beds. — 04Arrival at the manor house.

Interior Views

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Living room under a vaulted brick ceiling with dark beams, an exposed rubble stone wall with three arched curtained openings, rust-coloured armchairs, a curved grey sofa, red walls with shelving and a large painting. — 01The living room of the manor house, under the restored brick vaults.

Kitchen and dining room with timber-beamed ceiling, a long dining table on a patterned rug, a fireplace with stacked logs, a glazed wine cabinet and a stone kitchen island with a ring pendant light. — 02Kitchen and dining room, with the fireplace and wine wall.

Master bedroom under a pitched timber roof with a skylight, a low upholstered bed, travertine wardrobe panels with red-lit niches and sheer curtains beside a portrait painting. — 03A master bedroom beneath the timber roof and skylight.

Terracotta-toned washroom with a red-veined marble double basin, two oval brass-framed mirrors hung in front of a window and wall-mounted brass taps. — 04Washroom in terracotta and Rosso marble.