L’Immacolata takes its name from the small 18th-century church next to it in the little Salento town of Matino. Built in several stages over the last two centuries, the house consists of a large basement space that was transformed during the project into a hypogeum entrance; the blocks with which the actual house was built were excavated from the typical Apulian living rock. The main floor is in fact built above the long vault covering the hypogeum entrance and consists of a series of rooms placed in sequence one behind the other, also covered with barrel and cross vaults.
The project was aimed at enhancing all the typical characteristics of vernacular Apulia architecture: the plaster was peeled off to reveal the old Carparo walls, all the old existing niches (once used as valuable storage spaces) were reopened, some corbels of the vaulted ceiling covering the bathroom area were highlighted as well as the old tiles that make up the kitchen floor. A sort of conservative restoration has been carried out, trespassing a little into ‘kitsch’ by enhancing the material nature of the local stone in its infinite yellowish tones. The kitchen space has also been kept substantially intact, even preserving the old dish drainer made of classic chicken wire and the plastered masonry sink underneath.
The room containing the old entrance staircase was then converted into a comfortable second bathroom. Tumbled Trani stone was chosen as the floor and laid in a horizontal pattern, while in order not to weigh too much on the room’s old and worn foundation, a resin cement only 3 mm thick was preferred, adequately reinforced with internal anti- cavity mesh. A steep old staircase leads directly to the terraces, which have been transformed for summer days. A small white pool, appropriately decorated with local cacti and traditional Apulian pumi (a type of pottery ndr) occupies the south-west corner of the terrace right next to the walls of the small church, representing in the best possible way that the Sacred and Profane can still live together harmoniously.
What were the key challenges?
For us, it is fundamental that our homes feature elements that translate the essence of this land, and it is for this reason that we rely on local realities that work with local raw materials to complete the furnishing of our structures, creating incredible objects. Our collaborators are simple, authentic and strictly local people: people who know how to work with their materials and who create unique pieces with their creativity. I have a wonderful memory of the day when, during our constant inspections, we met an old man from Gallipoli who was making fishing creels in his garage: passing by, the beauty of his production left us speechless. From that moment on, he became our craftsman of marvellous creels to hang on the walls as furnishing accessories.
Real redevelopment of the territory can only start, in our opinion, from the people who inhabit it. We always involve the latter in our work, as we find that it is fundamental to fully understand a place by establishing a sincere relationship with those who have lived there for generations. We rely completely on the skill and artistry of the local labourers, who skilfully use their precious raw materials.
Apulia is an Italian region with a long and varied history: sea, countryside and historic centres intertwine to create an evocative and, to say the least, incredible landscape. Being a humble people with a great attachment to their land and large olive groves, the Apulians have been able to preserve the agricultural tradition by keeping both the historical centres and the countryside, where majestic masserie (farmhouses) stand intact.
What materials did you choose and why?
The respect we pay to the raw materials and the structure we restore is absolute: being born in Italy means a lot to us. Our architecture is essential but at the same time the and warm, without being ostentatious: PIETRA LECCESE and PIETRA DI TRANI are The main materials we use, added to wood and aluminium.
Team:
Architect: Acqua di Puglia
Photography: Silvia Brambilla
Material Used:
1. Facade cladding: Intonaco a calce bianca
2. Flooring: Pietra di Trani
3. Doors: Wood
4. Windows: Wood
5. Roofing: Pietra leccese
6. Interior lighting: Led with energy saving
7. Interior furniture: Local furniture made by local artisans - see section “interior design collection” on our website
