Nico van der Meulen Architects has renovated this stunning historic stone house that overlooks a forested Umbrian Valley, a region situated in central Italy.
The kitchen/access link is a simple contemporary, flat roof structure under a glass roof.
A steel staircase was inserted into this void, creating a physical relation between the ground floor living areas and the first floor where the main suite, study, and painter’s studio are located.
The original watch tower — \turned farming dwelling — was quite traditional in its functionality and purpose; typically regional in its understanding of farming requirements in rural Italy.
Stables and other farming facilities were located on the ground floor, along with hay storage located on a mezzanine level, while living quarters were located on the upper level.
The fabric and texture of the home are distinctly contextual and biographical. Stone, as the primary material for construction and finishing, needed to be enhanced and celebrated.