Houzz Tour: A 17th Century Monastery Gets a Stylish Makeover
The breathtaking Amalfi coast is the backdrop for this light-filled home, which features ancient ceramic tiles from the local area
A 17th century monastery, which has undergone several evolutions over the years, has been transformed into a spacious villa. This difficult and complex renovation by Lazzarini Pickering Architects took about 18 months and gave birth to an interesting mix of past and present.
The standout elements of the interior are the ancient Vietri ceramic tiles, painstakingly collected, which form surprisingly elegant decorative features, while outside, the natural beauty of the location, overlooking the crystal clear waters of Positano, completes the picture.
It was the passion of the Australian owners, in love with this part of the world, that gave life to the project. The result is a meticulous and detailed architectural exercise, beautifully designed decorative elements, and a thoughtful layout. It’s a balanced project, with every detail calibrated to fit into the enviable location and harmonise with the peerless light.
The standout elements of the interior are the ancient Vietri ceramic tiles, painstakingly collected, which form surprisingly elegant decorative features, while outside, the natural beauty of the location, overlooking the crystal clear waters of Positano, completes the picture.
It was the passion of the Australian owners, in love with this part of the world, that gave life to the project. The result is a meticulous and detailed architectural exercise, beautifully designed decorative elements, and a thoughtful layout. It’s a balanced project, with every detail calibrated to fit into the enviable location and harmonise with the peerless light.
The basis of this work is an accurate study of the famous Vietri majolica (Vietri is a small town a few miles from Positano that’s known for its ceramics). This investigation led to collecting thousands of pieces, some really precious, dating from between the 1700s and 1890s. The collection totals about 3,500 tiles, in the traditional size of 20cm x 20cm, picked up from local shops and antiquarians.
These became a fundamental element in the creation of the new space. It was a request of the owners, who wanted their home to be “easy” to manage, and rich but not full of precious items, since, being a holiday home, it would be unguarded for long periods of time.
These became a fundamental element in the creation of the new space. It was a request of the owners, who wanted their home to be “easy” to manage, and rich but not full of precious items, since, being a holiday home, it would be unguarded for long periods of time.
The owners’ brief coupled with the architects’ deep understanding of the local area gave rise to the idea of using the ceramics in a contemporary way, decontextualising them completely. So while tiles are normally used on floors, in this project they play very different roles in every corner of the house. Traditional fittings become contemporary and innovative.
Pickering explains that the majolica became “a contemporary element preserving the historical touch in a traditional dress”.
Pickering explains that the majolica became “a contemporary element preserving the historical touch in a traditional dress”.
During the process of arranging so many pieces all together, the hardest part was matching designs and colours (which were very different from one another) to create pleasing compositions. The work was long and hard: it meant physically putting together every single piece on site, creating a sort of sculptural patchwork, amazing in the final result, but not simple in the slightest to create.
The ceramics were worked into four architecturally decorative elements that intersect and run along the whole house, always creating different interiors.
The ceramics were worked into four architecturally decorative elements that intersect and run along the whole house, always creating different interiors.
The first element is the “ribbon” that begins on the living room ceiling and proceeds down the 6m-high (about 19.6ft) wall to become a coffee table then flooring, before cutting down the stairs to form a dining table in the kitchen.
From there, the “ribbon” continues its trip, curving up to the ceiling and back over the table to host the lighting. The whole structure flows with no interruptions.
The large and luminous living area is also the source of the second element: the iron stairs, whose steps are covered with majolica and whose handrail is completely transparent.
In order to accentuate the great beauty of the ceramics, the floors throughout the house have been covered with a calcareous (chalky) stone from Puglia, in southern Italy, whose predominantly neutral tones and clear, smooth surface perfectly showcase the patterns of the precious ceramics.
In order to accentuate the great beauty of the ceramics, the floors throughout the house have been covered with a calcareous (chalky) stone from Puglia, in southern Italy, whose predominantly neutral tones and clear, smooth surface perfectly showcase the patterns of the precious ceramics.
The third element is the “flying sofa” – as Pickering calls it – a sort of cantilevered mezzanine that protrudes 2m (about 6.5ft) into the living room. It was created to visually lessen the height of the room.
Its location isn’t random, though: from here, it’s possible to enjoy a wonderful view of the Li Galli archipelago just off the Positano coast. The cluster of little islands is a magical place famous for being the shelter for Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev, who fell so in love with the archipelago he bought it in 1988.
The “flying sofa” and the stairs are two elements that are both decorative and structural. Their aim is to liven up the space and, above all, to make use of the height of the ceiling.
Its location isn’t random, though: from here, it’s possible to enjoy a wonderful view of the Li Galli archipelago just off the Positano coast. The cluster of little islands is a magical place famous for being the shelter for Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev, who fell so in love with the archipelago he bought it in 1988.
The “flying sofa” and the stairs are two elements that are both decorative and structural. Their aim is to liven up the space and, above all, to make use of the height of the ceiling.
The walls are adorned with Suzani tapestries – colourful textiles that act like pictures, creating a big contrast between the fabric’s intense colours and the neutral tones of the walls and floors. They also echo the geometric designs of the tiles, giving cohesion to the space.
The fourth and last architecturally decorative element is the bed base in the master bedroom. This is a large podium that brings together the bed and the bathroom at the back, which contains a bath and basin. This room also features a colourful Suzani tapestry.
This home is meant to host children – nephews and nieces – who come to Positano for the summer. For this reason, there are four bedrooms, each with a bathroom, situated on different floors.
The big iron door frames that open from the living room onto the main terrace have been inserted into the original arches. They are very big – about 5m (16.4ft) high – and each can be fully opened and closed when needs be.
Outside, the villa has three suspended gardens: three levels of terrace with different styles complete the whole structure.
On two of these terraces, there’s an orchard and a lemon plantation, organised to be faithful to the site-specific idea loved by the architects.
On two of these terraces, there’s an orchard and a lemon plantation, organised to be faithful to the site-specific idea loved by the architects.
On the third terrace, there’s a swimming pool, which is located in one of the most beautiful points of the property and has been made to recover a pre-existing basin.
To complete the picture, a large patio, made of modern majolica in blue, like the sea, is an invitation to relax.
All of the outdoor spaces offer wonderful views and complete the restoration’s harmonious balance between not only the interior and exterior, but also the past and present, which is an expression of beauty and quality.
To complete the picture, a large patio, made of modern majolica in blue, like the sea, is an invitation to relax.
All of the outdoor spaces offer wonderful views and complete the restoration’s harmonious balance between not only the interior and exterior, but also the past and present, which is an expression of beauty and quality.
Vertical section of the villa.
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Tell us:
What do you think of this reinvented monastery? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
See more homes:
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Tell us:
What do you think of this reinvented monastery? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here This is the holiday home of an Australian couple
Location Positano, Campania, Italy
Year built The building was originally a 17th century monastery
Architect Lazzarini Pickering Architects
Size 350 sq m (about 3,767 sq ft); plus 1,200 sq m (about 13,000 sq ft) of outdoor space consisting of three big terraces and a garden
That’s interesting The collection of ancient Vietri ceramic tiles were collected one by one; they aren’t just decorations, but an architectural element of the interior.
Photos by Matteo Piazza
“Our work always takes strong inspiration from the territory,” says architect Carl Pickering. “From the very beginning, working in Positano required a deep understanding of the architecture of the Amalfi Coast. This led us to create something that’s rooted in the surrounding environment; that has a strong connection with the exterior. This is why we chose to carry out some studies on the Vietri ceramics.”