Roman Villas and Their Influence on Modern Architecture

Throughout history, people have looked back at the classical world for inspiration, especially when building their own homes. In the later centuries, many villa owners in Europe tried to reflect the style of ancient Roman villas in their own estates. Their aim wasn’t just about looks. They also wanted to keep classical culture alive.

Ancient Inspiration

Many later villas were inspired by Roman texts, especially the letters of Pliny the Younger. These letters described Roman villas in great detail, including what they looked like, how they were decorated, and how people spent their time in them. Designers and architects used these writings as a kind of manual. They brought classical ideas into their own time by copying Roman layouts, decorations, and even the kinds of leisure activities people enjoyed back then.

Lord Burlington

One famous example of this classical influence is Lord Burlington, an important patron of the arts and a classical scholar. He designed his villa at Chiswick as more than just a home. It was a place for cultural leisure, study, and entertainment. His villa reflected both Roman ideals and Enlightenment values, blending beauty with intellectual life.

Lord Burlington inherited the Chiswick estate when he was a child. The old house was from the early 1600s and used as a countryside retreat. After traveling to Italy, he became passionate about Roman and Renaissance architecture. He read works by Palladio and brought back drawings and ideas that shaped his vision.

In 1725, after a fire damaged the old house, he started building Chiswick House. It wasn’t made for daily living. It had no kitchen at first but was designed as a space to enjoy art, books, and cultural time with friends. The garden, planned with designer William Kent, also followed Roman styles, with sculptures and classical layouts.

Chiswick House became an early example of neo-Palladian architecture, which soon spread across Britain and Europe.

A Shifting Lifestyle

Roman villas were more than just houses. Their design reflected the lifestyle, values, and leisure of their owners. This connection between architecture and culture inspired later generations, like Lord Burlington, who revived classical styles to create spaces for art, learning, and relaxation. The legacy of Roman villa design continues to influence architecture and ideas of leisure today.

References

The Open University 2016, educational resource, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, viewed 31 July 2025.
English Heritage n.d., 'An Aristocrat’s Menagerie', Chiswick House and Gardens History, viewed 31 July 2025, (Link).