The project involved the restoration and residential conversion of a 280 sqm barn that is part of the historically listed complex of the former Cocchi Liquor Distillery in Reggio Emilia.

The main goal of the intervention was to enhance the spatial qualities and physical features of the former Cocchi barn: a clearly legible structural rhythm defined by perimeter pilasters and a row of tall central columns; a large internal volume divided into two areas on different levels; and an impressive roof structure composed of oak trusses and beams.

The primary challenge in adapting the former barn for residential use was the very limited number of existing openings, resulting in scarce natural light and ventilation. This constraint, combined with the requirement to preserve the composition and morphology of the protected urban façades, led to the decision to intervene mainly from above, working on the building’s roof.

While new roof windows were introduced for the bedrooms and service areas, the symbolic centerpiece of the project is the central patio: not merely an opening in the roof, but an additive gesture – a large, fully glazed light-filled volume around which the new spaces are organized. This feature clearly defines the contrast between the new and the existing architecture.

The layout proposal is also guided by a reading of the structural and spatial framework. The original division of the barn’s volume is retained, with the sleeping quarters located on the upper level (where the ceiling height is lower) and the living areas on the lower level. The sleeping area is structured as an alternation of bedrooms and service rooms, connected by a generous circulation space that maintains both physical and visual continuity with the large open-plan living area below, characterized by the historical timber trusses and organized into two zones around the central patio.

The choice of materials and interior finishes was based on a reinterpretation of the existing features, developing a limited and coherent palette designed to highlight the building’s historical and aesthetic value. The new spaces feature exposed brick walls, with a reinterpretation of traditional brick latticework (gelosie) introduced in the upper sections. The existing perimeter walls were treated with a warm-toned, coarse-grain natural lime plaster, which was also used—mixed with resin—for the flooring.

The new staircase block was built with a self-supporting structure and perforated sheet metal panels, while the window frames and other detailed elements were crafted in burnished metal. Completing the material palette is natural-toned wood, used for custom-designed fixed furnishings created specifically for this project.