Transformation of a Tuscan farmhouse into a residence

ASZarchitetti and SUPERFUTUREDESIGN* partnered to rebuild a farmhouse in southern Tuscany, Italy, to incorporate modern elements and contemporary aspects. Given the proposal, they approached the project with caution as they needed to ensure that a new design was created without compromising the integrity of the previous structure.

This former heritage farmhouse is surrounded by beautiful landscape and features a natural pond – a representation of the wonderful ecosystem in its own right. It is located in the Crete Senesi area of Tuscany, south of Siena. The project consists of complete renovation and reconstruction works, but with respect to important conditions. In particular, the whole structure had to be redone with old materials.
The main theme was to adopt a modern methodology to rebuild the house while respecting the traditional and rustic architecture of this area of historical importance. The result: an eclectic mix of unique aspects from both sides of the spectrum – the old and the new, the expected and the unknown, and obviously the conservative and the futuristic in nature. It’s easy to wonder what led a client in this case to believe that an old farmhouse, naturally reclaimed, would be an ideal home. More than the historic structure, it’s the captivating landscapes that surround it that make the prospect of living there a serene experience. The owner, a photographer, felt that the residence would be the center of a natural expanse that would seduce the senses with a palette of sights, sounds and smells, all of which would help create memories and emotions.
One of the most striking features is the sustainable way of reusing existing materials in a modern style. This is complemented by other features, such as elegant metal cornices at the openings and frameless windows. The architects developed a custom design process to meet the needs of the project. The construction was executed using traditional design. In other words, they used the previous plan to establish a new structure. However, they supported it with new generation technology to maintain better engineering standards. This was proven by the strength of the resulting structure, its compliance with the latest earthquake codes, its improved thermal performance and its energy efficiency.