An Italian Villa Gets Rebuilt From Rubble
This architect faced a unique problem: How to pay homage to an historic building that had to be completely torn down
This house in Italy’s Le Marche countryside threatened collapse, and had to be torn down completely but for two small sections of wall. Architect Giorgio Balestra was presented with the challenge of “restoring” the building from the ground up. He reused the building’s materials and recreated its original form, down to the placement of every window. He even kept a half-destroyed wall as a monument to what had stood here before.
This deep reverence for the history of the place did not stop Balestra from adding some modern elements, such as a pool with a hydromassage area and a diving zone, which nonetheless fits perfectly into the aesthetic of this Italian countryside retreat.
This deep reverence for the history of the place did not stop Balestra from adding some modern elements, such as a pool with a hydromassage area and a diving zone, which nonetheless fits perfectly into the aesthetic of this Italian countryside retreat.
“Before” photos by Giorgio Balestra. The building on the left is not part of this property
Before
Many foreigners fall in love with Italy and take on the significant challenge of resurrecting a countryside ruin. This Northern European couple bought this property in the province of Ancona, on the east coast of Italy, in 2007, hoping to renovate it to use as a vacation home. The building was already run-down, and suffered further collapses while the owners were waiting for municipal building permits.
In the end, it took three years to secure the necessary permissions, during which time the building had deteriorated to such a state that the team would have had to buttress the existing structure completely with wooden scaffolding, had they decided to keep it.
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Before
Many foreigners fall in love with Italy and take on the significant challenge of resurrecting a countryside ruin. This Northern European couple bought this property in the province of Ancona, on the east coast of Italy, in 2007, hoping to renovate it to use as a vacation home. The building was already run-down, and suffered further collapses while the owners were waiting for municipal building permits.
In the end, it took three years to secure the necessary permissions, during which time the building had deteriorated to such a state that the team would have had to buttress the existing structure completely with wooden scaffolding, had they decided to keep it.
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During the renovation, the team came across a small brick engraved with the date 1674. However, the building as it was when the owners bought it only dates back to the early 19th century, according to the official estimate. At that time it was used as an outpost for the control of saltwater wells.
The half-crumbled wall on the left suggests that the building was once longer. This image shows Balestra’s projection of what the building originally looked like. Unfortunately, “The municipal council rejected this theory, so it was not possible to enlarge the building during the renovation,” Balestra says.
The half-crumbled wall on the left suggests that the building was once longer. This image shows Balestra’s projection of what the building originally looked like. Unfortunately, “The municipal council rejected this theory, so it was not possible to enlarge the building during the renovation,” Balestra says.
After
This section of wall was preserved as a way to tell the story of the building and bear witness to its original features.
In such conservation projects there is always the same dilemma: To renovate or to rebuild? In this case, there was no room for doubt. The building was so unstable that there was no choice but rebuild it completely.
This section of wall was preserved as a way to tell the story of the building and bear witness to its original features.
In such conservation projects there is always the same dilemma: To renovate or to rebuild? In this case, there was no room for doubt. The building was so unstable that there was no choice but rebuild it completely.
“If it is a listed building or a building with any kind of architectural value, everything possible must be done to preserve it. On the other hand, if it is, as often happens, an average rural property without any particularly valuable architectural elements, you try to maintain that which is historical, making any interventions stand out to distinguish the new and original elements,” Balestra says.
“In this specific case, only some minor features remained, and since we had to follow earthquake codes, we had to demolish a good many of those parts. We kept some portions and stabilised them,” Balestra says.
For example, a detail of the original arch was preserved and integrated into the new structure, as pictured here. This was reinforced and fixed to the load-bearing wall – which was made of reinforced concrete – with iron rods and resin. A small portion of the back wall was also preserved.
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For example, a detail of the original arch was preserved and integrated into the new structure, as pictured here. This was reinforced and fixed to the load-bearing wall – which was made of reinforced concrete – with iron rods and resin. A small portion of the back wall was also preserved.
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Though a conservative restoration was not possible, all the material from the old sandstone structure was salvaged after the demolition and reused in the new building. Traditional construction techniques were used but modified to meet earthquake codes.
The about 10-inch-thick (25-centimetre-thick) load-bearing masonry was made of bricks that are especially resistant to traction and compression. It was then covered with a sort of “skin” made of lime and the local sandstone salvaged from the demolition. This increased the thickness by a further 10–12 inches (25–30 cm).
“The external stonemasonry work has an aesthetic function and also helps stabilise the building along with the load-bearing masonry,” Balestra said.
The about 10-inch-thick (25-centimetre-thick) load-bearing masonry was made of bricks that are especially resistant to traction and compression. It was then covered with a sort of “skin” made of lime and the local sandstone salvaged from the demolition. This increased the thickness by a further 10–12 inches (25–30 cm).
“The external stonemasonry work has an aesthetic function and also helps stabilise the building along with the load-bearing masonry,” Balestra said.
In this photo, workers construct the building’s new sandstone “skin.”
The roof was made with traditional techniques, but reinforced with modern steel tie rods.
The building’s footprint remained unchanged. Even the new windows were installed in their original locations, the frames hidden inside the wall.
The house has two stories, and its surrounding garden takes advantage of the sloping land for a multi-level effect. As a result, the back of the second floor also exits onto the yard.
The thick masonry and the air moving through the house keep the inside temperature mild and fairly stable throughout the year.
The house has two stories, and its surrounding garden takes advantage of the sloping land for a multi-level effect. As a result, the back of the second floor also exits onto the yard.
The thick masonry and the air moving through the house keep the inside temperature mild and fairly stable throughout the year.
Compare the previous image to this photo of the original home: The windows are still in their original locations.
The swimming pool is the most obviously contemporary added element. It offers multiple depths, per the owners’ request. “The clients wanted to include and integrate a hydromassage area, a diving spot and a relaxation area,” Balestra says.
Check out these spectacular pools from around the world
Check out these spectacular pools from around the world
The varying depths of the pool are especially evident in this mid-construction photo.
Hydromassage jets are located along the lower, submerged steps, so the latter can be used as seats in the massage area. From there, the depth increases towards the diving spot. Finally, there is a relaxation area at the edge with a 19½-inch-deep (50-centimetre-deep) bench. The pool is finished throughout in porcelain stoneware tiles.
Next to it, a pergola defines an outdoor dining area. The door leads to the ground-floor living room, while the stairs that can be seen in the photo (just to the right of the door, behind the table and around the corner of the home) lead to the upper level of the garden, where there is an entrance to the second floor.
Next to it, a pergola defines an outdoor dining area. The door leads to the ground-floor living room, while the stairs that can be seen in the photo (just to the right of the door, behind the table and around the corner of the home) lead to the upper level of the garden, where there is an entrance to the second floor.
On one side of the pool is a large teak deck, which is a perfect spot for sun-bathing. Below is the technical room that houses the pool filtration pumps.
Seen here, a bed of lavender adds some cheer in front of the main entrance.
Seen here, a bed of lavender adds some cheer in front of the main entrance.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: An Italian Villa With a View to the World
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
Houzz Tour: An Italian Villa With a View to the World
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
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Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four from Northern Europe
Location: Serra San Quirico, Ancona, Italy
Project duration: From 2009 to 2011
Architect: Giorgio Balestra
Size: About 160 square metres (1720 square feet) on an about 2,000 square metre (½-acre) plot of land