Unusual Buildings
This trullo complex was in total disrepair, so it had to be demolished and rebuilt from scratch. The original materials were salvaged and reused by local craftspeople, who employed the same ancient techniques these structures had been built with long ago. The work was coordinated “24/7 in order for it to be completed within six months and to prevent any loss of time, money or enthusiasm,” says Cicchetti of the 2015 project.“Throughout the project, we looked for and involved local craftsmen with the unique skills needed for the renovation,” Cicchetti says. “This also resulted in an undeniable advantage in terms of costs.” Nonetheless, bringing the ancient rural style into the present was, of course, primarily a stylistic decision.Donato Tanzarella of IART made the cabinets in the kitchen, pictured here, as well as the heating systems and doors throughout the house.
The bathrooms contain a stone sink and exposed, zinc-covered pipes. The fixtures were chosen for their simplicity. “We picked the functional beauty of simple materials and elements over brand-name designs,” Cicchetti says.The stone finish here, as well as the barbecue (photos follow) and some of the stone seats around the property, were made by Cava Valentini.
The architects made two major additions to the original structure: a fifth trullo and the pièce de résistance, a glass cube that adds a contemporary touch to the historic locale and serves as a winter garden.The cube is about 13 feet (4 meters) tall and houses an ancient olive tree. “In these areas, olive groves are usually outside the perimeter of the lived-in property,” Cicchetti says. “To make better use of these beautiful trees, we moved 13 of them from their original location so they could be seen and enjoyed from each window of the home.” The cube protects the olive tree over winter. The tree gets fresh air from two large doorways on opposite sides of the structure.
The juxtaposition of different materials and textures, such as stone and glass, along with the harmonious combination of art, architecture and craftsmanship, defines a renovation that was both innovative and faithful to the original. “We were inspired by the Bauhaus school,” Cicchetti says, “which does away with the boundaries between these three disciplines, promoting a comprehensive and coordinated approach to different forms of expertise.”More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Photos by Massimo GrassiHouse at a GlanceWho lives here: A family from Rome with young childrenLocation: Ostuni, Italy Size: About 1,400 square feet (130 square meters) on about 5 acres (2 hectares); three bedrooms, two bathroomsBudget: About $352,000 (300,000 euros)Architect: Enrico Maria Cicchetti with engineer Francesco Palmisano
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