Villa Gioia challenges architects and designers to reimagine a historic estate located in Bedizzole, a small town near Lake Garda in northern Italy. Once structured as a complex rural residence surrounded by gardens and service buildings, the site today offers a remarkable opportunity for architectural regeneration.
Participants are invited to explore the adaptive reuse of this historic property by transforming it into a contemporary retirement residence. The goal is to design living environments capable of supporting an ageing society, where comfort, care and social interaction become fundamental elements of daily life.
Rather than proposing a conventional retirement facility, the project encourages designers to rethink the relationship between private living spaces, shared environments and outdoor areas. Bedrooms or small apartment units may coexist with communal facilities such as dining areas, cultural spaces, gardens and wellness areas, creating a dynamic residential community.
The challenge is to reinterpret the architectural identity of the historic residence while introducing contemporary spatial solutions that enhance accessibility, wellbeing and quality of life. Through sensitive design interventions, participants are invited to imagine how Villa Gioia can become a vibrant place where architecture supports ageing with dignity, autonomy and a strong sense of belonging.
Awards:-
- 1st Prize: 5,000€
- 2nd Prize: 2,000€
- 3rd Prize: 1,000€
- 5 Golden Mentions: Free membership coupon
- 10 Honorable Mentions: Free competition entry coupon
- 30 Finalists: Featured on Terraviva channels
Deadline:- 23-10-2026
