Houzz Tours
Italian Houzz Tour: An Ancient Farmhouse Turned Holiday House
Modern details blend perfectly into the historic structure of this 19th-century Apulian farmhouse
Can you really preserve the essence of an ancient Apulian masseria, or fortified farmhouse, while adapting it to a family’s holiday needs? This was the dilemma Studio Talent architects were called on to solve when they were hired to restore this farmhouse in Ostuni, Italy. They chose to go back to the building’s roots, invisibly intervening with conservative renovation measures, period-appropriate materials and modern know-how.
When the renovation began, the masseria wasn’t in a state of total disrepair, but it had been completely abandoned. The first step was to reinforce the structure and provide the support needed to preserve the building for generations to come.
The interior vaults had been built with the dry stone technique typical of the region. The local white stone was left exposed, but the vaults were buttressed with reinforced concrete, as they were not stable enough to satisfy earthquake-proofing standards. The original fireplace was redesigned and enlarged while still maintaining the original proportions.
The interior vaults had been built with the dry stone technique typical of the region. The local white stone was left exposed, but the vaults were buttressed with reinforced concrete, as they were not stable enough to satisfy earthquake-proofing standards. The original fireplace was redesigned and enlarged while still maintaining the original proportions.
The architect chose a simple white plaster with a milk of lime finish for the walls. The floors throughout are paved in cocciopesto – a material consisting of broken tiles and fragments of bricks mixed with lime mortar, which was traditionally used in the period the masseria was built – in a light sand hue to match the stone floor outside.
The floors conceal under-floor heating, and the house gets some of its energy from solar panels installed on the roof.
The large doorways that used to lead to warehouses have been turned into windows, framing the natural scenery and letting in the breeze from the sea, which is only seven kilometres away.
The antique desk is a family heirloom, made by the owner’s grandfather
The floors conceal under-floor heating, and the house gets some of its energy from solar panels installed on the roof.
The large doorways that used to lead to warehouses have been turned into windows, framing the natural scenery and letting in the breeze from the sea, which is only seven kilometres away.
The antique desk is a family heirloom, made by the owner’s grandfather
Beside the first-floor living room is a large kitchen. Glass and steel connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
The architect brought out the building’s natural elegance with furnishings carefully selected in consultation with the owners. Here, contemporary features such as the table and lights are successfully combined with the industrial, steel kitchen cabinets and rustic elements like the old wooden madia, a cupboard traditionally used for storing bread.
The architect brought out the building’s natural elegance with furnishings carefully selected in consultation with the owners. Here, contemporary features such as the table and lights are successfully combined with the industrial, steel kitchen cabinets and rustic elements like the old wooden madia, a cupboard traditionally used for storing bread.
Also on the first floor, two guest rooms occupy the spaces once used as a shelter for the animals. Here the old stone trough (opposite the bed) has been preserved and spruced up to serve as a storage space and display table.
The master bedroom is on the second floor. The iron bed was custom-made by local craftsmen. The doors to the ensuite bathroom were painted the same dusty blue as the irreparably damaged originals.
Each bathroom has a walk-in shower. These are not tiled, as the cocciopesto is highly waterproof.
Next to the master bedroom and bathroom, in the space once occupied by the original kitchen, are a small living room and an office corner.
A set of stairs leads from the office to a third-floor terrace (not pictured). The stairs look as though they were dug into the masonry. The treads have been cleaned up but not restored, and signs of wear were intentionally left exposed in order to connect with the long story of this masseria.
The masseria is surrounded by four gardens, each with different functions and a different assortment of plants. The French doors of the guest rooms face one of the four yards, providing guests with a sort of private access to the garden.
Each of the four yards has been brought back into use: the one that faces the guest rooms has a big fig tree and fragrant lavender plants. Citrus and pomegranate trees grow in a second garden (pictured here), while the one next to the kitchen is a vegetable garden with pots of vegetables and flowers that can eventually be cut and used to embellish the home. The yard with the swimming pool is covered in Mediterranean scrub.
The layout of the swimming pool recalls Roman water reservoirs. It is not an infinity pool; the edge rises about 45 centimetres over the ground and can serve as a seat or a sun lounger. Made of a dark lime mix, the bottom of the pool gives the water a turquoise hue that is more intense and intriguing than the light blue of a traditional swimming pool.
Photo by Studio Talent
Looking back at this photo of the house before the renovation, exactly what the architect has managed to accomplish becomes clear. He pulled off a major renovation that is nonetheless true to the building’s origins and is as inconspicuous as possible. Everything works together to make this house cosy while at the same time maintaining the look of the productive masseria it once was.
Looking back at this photo of the house before the renovation, exactly what the architect has managed to accomplish becomes clear. He pulled off a major renovation that is nonetheless true to the building’s origins and is as inconspicuous as possible. Everything works together to make this house cosy while at the same time maintaining the look of the productive masseria it once was.
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: This is the holiday home of an Italian couple who currently live in Paris with their children
Location: Ostuni (Brindisi), Italy
Renovation year: 2015
Architect: Studio Talent
Size: 300 square metres; 5 bedrooms 4 bathrooms
Budget: 700,000 euros (just over AU$1,000,000)
This house is typical of a 19th-century Apulian masseria. Historically, the first floor would have been used for work while the owners would have lived on the second.