Italian Houzz: A Well-Thought-Out Update of an Ocean-View Barn
With its original foundations kept in tact, this Ligurian barn had a contemporary facelift fit for a modern family
Taking advantage of it’s proximity to Milan, this abode can provide a weekend escape for the whole family of its owners, and maybe some friends as well, in both summer and winter. Inspired by the desire for such a lifestyle, the restructuring of an old agricultural building resulted in its conversion into a functional and fascinating living space, where family life and a love of art co-exist.
The countryside around Levanto is one of those enchanting places that must be preserved, respecting the constraints of the landscape without falling into the trap of underrating the local rural architecture. Any new architectural project, therefore, runs the risk of merely copying an existing home style in fear of breaching the accepted norms.
In order to achieve a house full of personality, which at the same time integrates discretely with its surroundings, the designer of this converted barn holiday home carried out in-depth research, identifying a typology of rural buildings typical of the area. The surprising result has been achieved precisely because of the ability to combine a traditional aesthetic with a contemporary style, and this is true for both the indoor and outdoor spaces.
This residence is composed of two buildings: in the main area the original structure has been preserved, with the exception of the kitchen, which has been partly demolished and rebuilt, leaving the original stonework structure still visible.
The second building was a barn, reduced almost entirely to ruins, with only the foundations remaining. This was finally demolished and rebuilt in full compliance with the accepted standards of landscape and architectural conservation.
The second building was a barn, reduced almost entirely to ruins, with only the foundations remaining. This was finally demolished and rebuilt in full compliance with the accepted standards of landscape and architectural conservation.
The result is a simple house, in tune with its rural environment, enriched with furnishing elements and contemporary artworks that give an elegant yet unpretentious tone. It is a functional space enhanced by the continual addition of tangible and abstract memories of family life.
In accordance with the client’s preference, elaborate flooring was substituted with plain concrete screed, smoothed and wax-finished. The inevitable appearance of cracks over time is anticipated, accepted, almost desired, as an element in harmony with the rural – and hence imperfect – tone of the building.
The same idea applies to the walls, which are simple but immaculate throughout the house: the scene is all set for a continuous, though discreet, exhibition of contemporary art on the walls.
Even the choice of furniture is the product of the owner’s research and final consultation with the designer. Early ’90s is the preferred period for most pieces, with some variance for the sofa beds.
The master bedroom has an integrated bathroom, which combines three elements: in the centre sits the wash basin atop a vintage dresser, while the two box partitions either side contain the shower and toilet.
A keen attention to detail is not intended to dazzle visitors, but simply to welcome them. The house reflects the family’s desire to enjoy some leisure time in a pleasing environment with no frills, and to focus on the real luxury of being able to gather together in a special place.
The reconstruction of the barn was the major challenge, given the need to respect the regulatory constraints of the area. The engineer of the project explains that his inspiration was ‘the typical Ligurian barn with a buffered wood facade facing the sea.’ “In our case, the brown shading system is a reinterpretation of this component,” he says. “Our ability to successfully present the project for its acceptance by the local authorities, emphasising its link with the local architectural tradition, was our single real challenge, which we overcame.”
“The difficulties motivated me to do my best and, in this case, to focus on the objective: to create a modern structure within a historical context, with a large measure of respect coupled with innovation. The product of our research shines through in both the aesthetic and the structural results.”
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What do you love about this barn? Do you have a weekend retreat you escape to? Tell us in the Comments section below.
“The difficulties motivated me to do my best and, in this case, to focus on the objective: to create a modern structure within a historical context, with a large measure of respect coupled with innovation. The product of our research shines through in both the aesthetic and the structural results.”
TELL US
What do you love about this barn? Do you have a weekend retreat you escape to? Tell us in the Comments section below.
Houzz at a Glance:
Who lives there: A Milanese family with children and grandchildren, who use it as a weekend retreat
Where: Levanto, Liguria, Italy
Year of renovation: 2010
Architect: Antonio Sibilla in collaboration with the A2BC Studio
Surface area: Main residential area 160 square metres; 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms; annexe 32 square metres
Budget: €380,000 (AU$545,000)