“When we saw the FondouQ 15 years ago, it was love at first sight. Dry stone walls, prickly pears and Castel del Monte that still retains its leisurely air, the white lime of the walls reflects the sun, the grey and blue windows protect the silence, the coolness of the house shelters from the heat. The old tiles hark back to the past: everything revolves around the lonely house among the olive and fruit trees”. These are the words of owner Francesca who, with Massimo Brambilla, designed this small property in the heart of the Western Murge plateau. The house consists of a simple white rectangle containing a living room and two bedrooms characterised by a typically Apulian style, but at the same time with Arabian influences, emphasised for example in the unusual outdoor bathroom area directly overlooking the pool surrounded by local vegetation. The swimming pool, for environmental reasons, has been designed above ground, merging it with the surrounding terrain. A wood and masonry porch, a stone fireplace and a large outdoor kitchen complete the bucolic picture of this Apulian glimpse into the presence of one of the largest and most mysterious medieval buildings ever: Castel del Monte.
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
