Interlocking volumes

Set amongst the mountains of Italy’s Abruzzo region, the town of Montereale in the province of L’Aquila is the location for an inspiring residential renovation project. The property in question extends over various levels and stands out for its splendid façade, which retains the appeal of a prestigious country home, for its balconies and lean-to roofs and above all for its distinctive interlocking volumes. « In the 1940s the large house was the centre of the residential property, which consisted of one cubic structure in which the family lived and another adjoining cubic structure that served for storing hay and keeping animals, » explains architect Livia Borgioli, leader of the renovation project. Then in the 1970s, the building underwent major conversion work. The barn was retained but the volume of the house was increased – vertically through the construction of a loft and horizontally through the creation of two covered terraces overlooking the road, one on the ground floor and the other on the first floor. This then was the state of the building prior to the current project.
In the recent renovation, the barn was demolished and replaced with a new structure. To unify the various buildings and ensure that the new building did not clash with the existing property, the architect came up with the solution of connecting the new volume to the existing structure via a tower, which subsequently became the cornerstone of the entire project.
Interior and exterior floor coverings in very similar materials and colours were used to create a sense of visual continuity. The Graal and Geostone lines from Monocibec were chosen for the floors. The wall joining onto the former barn was also clad with pieces of Geostone Monocibec over its entire height, a solution that was replicated on some of the interior walls. The entrance zone consists of a striking double-height volume. An eye-catching open stairway runs up one stone-clad wall to reach the landing, which in turn leads to the guest bedroom with bathroom and the leisure room, including a billiard table. The living room is located on the ground floor, while the space below the splendid mezzanine floor built with exposed natural bleached wood beams is kept warm by a large fireplace made from recycled local stone. Next to it stands the kitchen with separate but adjacent dining room and a series of utility areas. A second stairway leads to the sleeping quarters on the upper levels. The entire space is pervaded by a rural-chic atmosphere created by a meticulous choice of materials and colours.