Built in the 1950s and located in the centre of the northern Italian town Montesolaro, this house has been owned by the same family for three generations.
The family’s deep connection to the home guided our approach to reconfiguring its internal structure, working carefully within the constraints of the existing building.
Originally composed of three separate apartments, the intervention needed to achieve three aims simultaneously. First, divide the home into two separate apartments and connect the first two storeys. Second, maintain the independence of the top floor and its entrance. And third, sensitively preserve the historical features of the home while removing, replacing and securing structural elements.
Due to the constraints imposed by the existing door thresholds, radiant ceiling panels were chosen over underfloor heating, ensuring the preservation of the original stone features and teak flooring on the ground floor.
The ground floor now accommodates the kitchen, living space, and a spare bedroom, while the family’s private quarters are spread across the ground and first floors, connected by a newly introduced staircase.
These elements reflect the shared history between the family and their company, as well as their deep connection to the art and design world. The result is a home that balances heritage, functionality, and personal narrative, creating a space that is both timeless and deeply meaningful.
As the owner of one of Italy’s leading furniture design companies, our client ensured that each room was carefully designed to subtly showcase their furniture, prototypes, and paintings.
The stone and brick perimeter walls, along with the central spine connected by slim steel beams, were left intact. In order to comply with current anti-seismic regulations, the low-vaulted masonry ceiling was reinforced with a grid of steel beams.
