The ciabòt are small units, spread all over Alta Langa, traditionally used by farmers for activities related with agriculture. They typically consist of a single functional cell, often with two floors. In Alta Langa the ston, a compact sandstone and limestone, it is used both for the terraces and for the roofs and walls of all buildings, both public and religious, both rustic and civil, with similar techniques. Despite their simplicity, the ciabòt can be considered as the minimum unit of construction in the territory, from which they take building characteristics and technologies.

The intervention of functional recovery has as its objective the conservative restoration of the building with respect for the local traditions and with minimum impact on the environment: use of local resources, such as stone and chestnut wood, materials with a low environmental impact such as hydraulic lime from Italian origins, panels of hemp and wood fibre for insolation and the minimum consumption of energy in both construction and use phases.

The functions that require a strong technological adaptation, such as the kitchen and hygienic services, are not so compatible with the pre-existence, so they are integrated in an extension. The extension respects the proportions and constructive principles of the original building, positioning itself on the East elevation of the existent construction following the ideal practice of the local traditions of extending the wing of one of the shortest facades.

In particular, the works to realize on the ciabòt consist on:

- Extraordinary maintenance of the roof with revision of the small warp and construction of a board and waterproofing layer. -Relocation of original loose-leaf coat and internal insulating layer;
- Construction of ventilated crawl space and new stone flooring on the ground floor;
- Transformation of the window on the East facade into a door to obtain a new access to the extension;
- Construction of the electrical system without affecting the integrity of the stone walls;
- Filling the gaps of the stone walls with hydraulic lime mortar;
- Replacement of the existing windows with a bronzed/etched steel frame equipped with a double-glazing single door.
- Laying of a small internal staircase that connects the two floors.

Works for the construction of the extension:

- Excavations and earthmoving to obtain the coplanarity of the ground, excavation and casting of reinforced concrete foundation curbs on site;
- Realization of the wooden supporting structure;
- Realization of vertical and horizontal coverage and infill with wood fiber insulating layer;
- Construction and installation of bronzed/etched steel frame equipped with a double-glazing single door.
- Connection and construction of the hydraulic and electrical system;
- Construction of wastewater disposal system;
- Realization and installation of facade cladding in chestnut boards;
- Interior finishing works.

Team:
Architect: Studio ellisse architetti
Photography: Fabio Oggero