​Set among ancient olive trees in the quiet countryside near Ostuni, Villa Sessana was never meant to be a statement piece. “From the beginning, we wanted the house to feel like it had always been there,” explain the architects from the Dutch design studio Studiotoff. “It’s not about standing out – it’s about belonging.”

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The project started with a feeling: the stillness of the land, the softness of the light, the sense of space and time stretching. “When we first walked the grounds, we understood that the architecture had to respect that atmosphere. Every decision – from materials to layout – was guided by the idea of calm.”

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The house itself unfolds gently: a series of volumes connected by open passages and shaded terraces. “We thought about how people live – especially when they’re on holiday. It’s not just about beauty. It’s about rhythm. About having space to gather, but also places to retreat.”

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Natural materials like green marble and Trani stone were chosen not only for their aesthetics, but for how they age and interact with the sun and wind. “We designed around light – how it moves during the day, how it touches the walls, how it shapes the atmosphere. The goal was to create something that feels both timeless and alive.”

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Asked what makes Villa Sessana special, the answer is simple: “It’s not about grand gestures. It’s about a certain quietness – in the materials, in the lines, in the feeling it leaves you with. Architecture, for us, is about emotion. And here, we wanted people to feel at peace.”