La Selva emerged from the renovation of a classic 1970s house, which in turn was the result of an extension of a typical Apulian trullo (a typical form of Apulian dwelling ndr). The intention was to revive the structure by giving it a new lease of life. The first intervention was to demolish the reinforced concrete roof built in the 1970s, together with the stringcourses also made of reinforced concrete. The windows - all irregular - were transformed into French windows by simply extending them downwards and maintaining the irregularity typical of Mediterranean architecture.
The façade was cleaned with plaster and whitewashed with lime and a wooden porch, also typically Mediterranean, was then inserted in front of it. As the volume was all white, small gardens were created in front and at the back for each of the three rooms, so that each of them could enjoy a private outdoor space consisting of an outdoor shower and a sitting area surrounded by cacti and prickly pears. The aim was to create a sort of Hortus conclusus (the typical medieval garden of monasteries and convents) where guests can enjoy total privacy and relaxation. To create these private gardens, it was decided to use Carparo blocks extracted from a quarry in Gallipoli characterised by a beige colour, unlike the local stone of Ostuni which is lighter, so as to create a contrast with the surrounding white. The interior spaces have all been kept very white and clean by using a lot of masonry and creating numerous ducchene (a wide stone extension of a wall for sitting or lying on ndt) for guests to relax on. Masonry was also used for the renovation of the bathroom floors, kitchen and fireplaces, a typical feature of Mediterranean architecture due to the scarcity of raw materials.
To emphasise the site’s material nature, locally worked Lecce stone was used to create the large sinks and old basins for cleaning cutlery and tableware. As for the kitchen, a rustic-chic style was chosen, using wooden boards made by a local carpenter and simply put together. The partitions were made of masonry and closed with wooden doors covered in white. The house consists of a large kitchen with an island whose worktop is made of Trani stone, a limestone harder than Lecce stone and perfect for kitchen countertops and flooring as it is much less absorbent. In addition, there is a large living room with aluminium windows with a single sliding door to let in more light and make the Apulian landscape outside more visible. The living room is equipped with underfloor heating so as keep warm in the winter. This is followed by three double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms furnished in Mediterranean style. For the exterior, it was decided to cover the old forecourt with gravel (literally crushed Ostuni limestone) to recreate the agricultural appearance typical of old farms.
A large living area of about ten seats in masonry was then built outside, where the architect wanted to emphasise the sense of horizontality and complete emptiness, reducing the shaded areas so that the sun could shine completely on this area. Ostuni’s climate is in fact less hot than the arid Salento. The long narrow swimming pool (2x10m) was built as if it were a canal supplying water to the olive trees below. The sunbathing area, consisting of two double stone sunbeds with a comfortable 2x2m cushion, overlooks the olive grove, creating a fusion with the surrounding nature. At the end of the long pool, a focal point has been created inside a reconstructed dry-stone wall, so that the view of the pool can also be enjoyed during the summer evenings, illuminating it naturally. The same wall was recreated at the edge of the property in order to delineate its boundaries. Grazing light was selected for the exterior spaces while for the interior, overhead lights were chosen to better illuminate the furnishings, as if it were a sort of museum.
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: Aluminium
4. Windows: Aluminium
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
