THE FUTURE OF THE VILLA ASQUER PARK

Since the estate was purchased by Diana 6 in the late 1970s at the instigation of the Founder Francesco Morelli, the park has been the subject of a far-reaching and sustained redevelopment. From its ruined state, surrounded by a pine forest and neglected fields, it has been transformed into the park we enjoy today. Francesco Morelli devoted forty years of tireless effort into shaping the park in his desire to achieve aesthetics and harmony. His aim was to allow visitors to the estate and the Villa to share in the sentiment and vision behind their creation.

Transforming this space into a spiritual haven was a personal project for Francesco Morelli, founder of the European Institute of Design – a school devoted to the idea of concrete, transformative creativity. This same energy is what enabled him – year after year, decade after decade – to develop and implement his design vision in the Villa Asquer estate. It is a place to be enjoyed with body and soul, which Francesco Morelli intended to be imbued with beauty, to experience the passage of time through the creation of an ever-evolving harmony. Beauty here is transformed into a precious commodity to be shared and passed on in a spirit of giving back to all those who will benefit from it.

After Francesco Morelli passed away, his legacy and philosophy were embraced by the Foundation named after him. The Francesco Morelli Foundation will be able to complete the Villa Asquer project through the continued efforts of Diana 6. It will be shared with anyone who wants to immerse themselves in its atmosphere and experience this unique place.

The essence, the core values

The park was designed and created in successive stages over a period of about forty years. During Francesco Morelli’s lifetime, his taste and style evolved, as they do for everyone. This evolution is reflected in the changes in style found on the estate, highlighting its unique eclecticism. In the part where the monuments are protected, the variety of styles and artistic quality are in perfect harmony with the rest of the park.

The way the buildings, the many fountains, statues and the park as a whole interact brings to mind the classical desire for balance. While the style is varied and steeped in personal emotions, far from classical forms, an evident pursuit can be seen throughout the estate for the concept of harmony as a value, as the coexistence of elements that together convey a sense of positivity and spiritual well-being. During the years that Morelli was chairman and envisioned and created it, the park became exactly that: a place that seeks and achieves harmony as its ultimate goal, a place where the heart, mind, and soul can find peace.

Similarly, the park is a free expression of the intimate search for a beauty unencumbered by commercial conventions and cost-saving strategies. It was not conceived and developed through a linear process, but rather came about almost spontaneously and instinctively through the will of its owner. Hence, like life itself, it is an authentic place where grand design themes coexist alongside spaces shaped by ideas that have only been partially planned. Everything accomplished over the years has been driven by the shared pursuit of beauty: the decorative elements and fountains, for instance, take precedence over services, basic infrastructure and facilities.

Time has played a crucial role in the long creation of the park.  The decision to design and create using plants has placed the emphasis on time and the constant upkeep of places, making them two essential elements. These two themes, generally considered anachronistic in the design of contemporary projects, arouse a sense of wonder in modern-day visitors, initially unable to immediately grasp their significance.

Villa Asquer is a perennial exercise in observation, a place created for the pleasure of generating beauty, without chasing profit or a quick gain. An exercise that Francesco Morelli put into practice every day over forty long years in creating and caring for Villa Asquer.

“Over the years when Francesco Morelli oversaw its planing and building, the site became a place whose ultimate goal is to create harmony, generating positive feelings and lifting spirits.”

IN SHORT

“Over the years, the priority was always to create a place of beauty rather than following the principles of speculation or economy. ”

A PLACE OF BEAUTY

“Choosing to incorporate nature into the project made time and continuous care non-negotiable elements.”

The value of time