THE VENETIAN VILLA: A Slow-Tourism experience in the Italian Countryside

TerraViva launches THE VENETIAN VILLA, a new architecture competition that invites the participants to rethink a unique historic Venetian Villa into an immersive slow-tourism experience in northern Italy. 

Prizes up to 8.000 € will be awarded to the winners selected by an international jury panel composed, among others, by Paolo Cesaretti (pc-|<), Charles Tashima (Studio Tashima), Emma Lindblom (LIND Studio) and Ilaria Vettoretti (Agnese Design). 

BRIEF 

"The Venetian Villa" invites designers to breathe new life into Villa Meneghetti, an abandoned yet historically significant complex in northern Italy. The goal is to reinterpret it as an Agriturismo, a contemporary program capable of transforming spaces once dedicated to education or production, into a fully immersive slow-tourism experience. 

Participants will have full creative freedom to propose interventions that respect the villa’s architectural heritage while enhancing its functionality. By re-imagining it as a rural retreat, the competition aims to promote sustainable tourism and cultural preservation, emphasising the connection between architecture, nature and local traditions. 

PRIZES & MENTIONS 

• 1st Prize: 4.000€ 
• 2nd Prize: 2.000€ 
• 3rd Prize: 1.000€ 
• 2 Golden Mentions: 500€ each 
• 10 Honorable Mentions: coupon for a free competition 
• 30 Finalists: published on TerraViva channels 

GUIDELINES 

The competition involves the complete renewal of the villa into a modern Agriturismo, ensuring all neces-sary functions to guarantee a comfortable and enjoyable stay for guests. Proposals may include modifica-tions not only to the exteriors elements (façades, roofs and connecting spaces), but also to the interiors, which will play a crucial role in harmonizing the villa’s historical character with contemporary living stand-ards. 

The outdoor spaces between existing buildings should be envisioned as a blank canvas, offering opportuni-ties to seamlessly connect architecture and nature. These in-between spaces can become vibrant settings for interaction, relaxation and contemplation, offering both functionality and inspiration 

REQUESTED MATERIAL 

Two A1 panels (59,4 x 84,1 cm) landscape oriented + a brief text describing the proposal (250-500 words); 

JURY 

• Paolo Cesaretti (Florence/Milan, Italy) | pc-|< 
• Jiafeng Li (Portland, USA) | Allied Works 
• Charles Tashima (London, UK) | Studio Tashima 
• Jaime Font (Barcelona, Spain) | Mesura 
• Emma Lindblom (Ulverston, UK) | LIND Studio 
• Andrea Cippitelli (Bologna, Italy) | CI MA 
• Ilaria Vettoretti (Valdobbiadene, Italy) | Agnese Design 
• Teodoro Mastrantonio (London, UK) |Studio Moren 

SCHEDULE 

Competition Opening: February 11th 2025 

79 € “Early” Registrations: February 11th - April 25th 

99 € “Standard” Registrations: April 25th - June 27th 

129 € “Late” Registrations: June 27th – July 25th 

Submission Deadline: July 25th (3:00 pm CET) 

Winners Announcement: September 15th 2025 

https://www.terravivacompetitions.com/the-venetian-villa-competition-2025/