Nestled in the rolling hills west of the ancient Tuscan town of Siena, this Italian country property was purchased unfinished by a young California couple.
Size
3,600 sq. f
Location
Tuscany, Italy
Project Team
Vellum
Design Team
Vellum
Completed
2013
Category
Hospitality
Timeless Design
With distant views of the towers of San Gimignano, the site features sweeping vistas of the Tuscan countryside.
The clients wanted to create a modern architectural residence within the shell of a traditional farmhouse structure. Utilizing the traditional structural system and material palette on the exterior, the interior, in contrast, reflects the simplicity and clarity of a more modern language.
The renovation focused on retaining the authenticity of the original design while integrating modern lines and features.
A New Life for the Landscape
The farmhouse architectural design is based on that of a traditional Tuscan farmhouse, or ‘casale’.
Using raw stone textures that are typical of the area while opening up large portions of the exterior walls to blur the lines between indoors and out. We were able to source many of the interior finishes locally, such as glass tiles, marble and stone for the flooring, creating a seamless flow of natural textures throughout. We retained many of the original interior features, such as the timber beamed ceilings, creating a juxtaposition with the sleek, ultra modern layout and sight lines.
Built to Belong
The living area takes open-concept to a whole new level, with the stunning exterior panorama becoming an extension of the living space.
The flow from room to room is as intuitive as it is aesthetic, and as warm as it is clean and crisp. The home contains several unique features that are both dramatic and functional, such as the interior-lit, Lexan-paneled transparent ‘wine cube’, a gourmet open kitchen and the large in-ground pool with the surrounding expansive terrace, perfect for entertaining or for private lounging.
