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The reinterpretation of an old barn as a cozy residential space that still embraces its rustic roots.
Located in the Florentine countryside, Italy, Fienile N is a rustic barn that Fōntego Architettura beautifully transformed into a residential space. Part of a larger complex of buildings that date back to the 19th and 20th centuries, the barn required restoration before the team could enact their design vision. The renovated building preserves the charm and character of the old agricultural volume, including the arched openings, stone masonry, and brickwork. Originally used for storage, the barn used to house agricultural vehicles on the lower level and hay or crops upstairs.
Since it’s built into the side of a hill, the barn has a secondary entrance on the upper floor. Here, the architects left the space entirely free of new partitions, but introduced a cleverly designed volume that organizes the area and serves different functions. Apart from defining the new green kitchen, the custom volume also contains a small bathroom, a guest wardrobe, and practical storage. Inserted with precision in order to preserve the masonry, the multi-functional element allowed Fōntego Architettura to also retain the original trusses and wood beams.
Disrupting the classic layout of a residential space, the barn features the bedrooms on the ground floor and the main living area upstairs. The lower level provides privacy while still framing gorgeous vineyard and olive grove views through the original openings. By contrast, the upper floor boasts larger openings with lattice-like brickwork. Giving a nod to the traditional mandolati, these brick elements provide natural ventilation and protect the interior from the summer heat at the same time. Photography© Federico Farinatti.
