Straddling local heritage and contemporary innovation, this marks a new step in the revitalization of the villages of the Po Valley, following in the footsteps of Ostana and Paraloup.

At the foot of Mount Monviso, in the hamlet of Bertolini in Crissolo, “Casa de piatra” has been created—a project that is part of the positive trend of revitalization in several Piedmontese Alpine villages, drawing inspiration from the examples of Ostana—which lies upstream from Crissolo in the upper Po Valley—and Borgata Paraloup, in Rittana in the Stura Valley.
Designed by the firm R3 Architetti, the project goes beyond simply repurposing a former 87-square-meter rural building; instead, it works with the existing structure, which transforms from a formal constraint into a “design framework.” It serves as a manifesto for the revitalization of Alpine villages, capable of aligning with the territorial regeneration policies that have made models such as Ostana famous.

The project is, in fact, set within a geographical and symbolic context of strong character, where the relationship with the iconic presence of Monviso becomes a defining element. To understand the cultural trajectory of this project, one must look to the figure of Renato Maurino (1934–2020), the architect who, right between Crissolo and Ostana, launched a pioneering era of projects respectful of traditional Alpine architecture, while avoiding any folkloric excesses. Maurino taught that restoration must be a modern synthesis of traditional materials and advanced technologies. This lesson reached the designers at R3 Architetti through their encounter with Antonio De Rossi, a central figure in Ostana’s contemporary revival, who introduced the firm to Alpine architecture through his course at the Polytechnic University of Turin—a veritable breeding ground for new design in the highlands. De Rossi’s vision radically challenges the 20th-century notion of the mountains as merely a recreational space or “playground” for urban tourists. On the contrary, he advocates for the need to repopulate the mountains through production, social innovation, and the creation of new, stable communities, integrating historic architecture with contemporary comfort and environmental sustainability. A political and cultural approach that resonates deeply with the reflections raised in the recent documentary film *Il tempo della montagna - ArchitetturAlpinA in dieci storie*, in which high-altitude design is explored precisely as a driver of social and ecological change for the region.

Matter as a Generative Matrix
Building on this solid theoretical foundation, the study addressed the complexities of the construction site in the Bertolini hamlet. The project required a radical decision: the demolition of nearly the entire front section of the building. This decision was primarily due to the objective impossibility of restoring the exterior perimeter walls, which were in a state of severe structural and material deterioration. Out of respect for the building’s historical legacy, the decision was made to preserve only the two side walls constructed of stone bonded with clay. These elements, rooted in local tradition, are not intended as formal constraints but rather as the generative matrix for a new architectural entity.

The dialogue between past and present takes shape in a hybrid system of brick and reinforced concrete, designed to meet contemporary seismic and energy regulations without compromising the original proportions. Material continuity is ensured by the systematic reuse of local resources: the stone used for the pillars was salvaged from the old structure, while the “lose” from the original roof were reused for the flooring.

The central element of the composition is the large loggia on the south facade, facing Mount Monviso. Here, the openings become true optical devices. The windows, reinterpreted as frames, selectively frame portions of the Alpine panorama, transforming the landscape into a constant and introspective domestic presence.

Inside, the floor plan is governed by the theme of “inside-outside.” A full-height space separates the living area from the loggia, morphologically evoking the narrow streets of Alpine villages. This distributive space, which the architects describe as an “internal street,” transforms the traditional perception of closed and open spaces: the bedrooms overlook this void as autonomous volumes, creating a minimalist yet richly articulated spatial composition. A key role is played by a compact service volume that houses the kitchen, bathrooms, and stairs, freeing up the rest of the floor plan for the main living and sleeping areas.

A New Dignity for the Highlands
“Casa de piatra” is not an isolated case. The project is part of the ongoing initiatives in Crissolo, which recently joined the “Alpine Villages” (Bergsteigerdörfer) network, aimed at fostering sustainable and harmonious development throughout the entire Alpine region. As has already happened in Ostana under Maurino’s leadership, in Crissolo as well, high-quality architectural restoration has become the primary tool for combating depopulation and restoring dignity and beauty to territories that are historically fragile yet full of potential.

Through the skillful combination of stone, timber framing, and technical details in galvanized steel, R3 Architetti has created a work that breathes new life into the building, demonstrating that Alpine architecture can be contemporary while maintaining an unbreakable bond with its history.
The project’s name embodies a profound symbolic meaning: “Casă de piatră!” is, in fact, a blessing that literally means “House of Stone!” in Romanian and is a prayer for the durability and strength of a relationship. In this project, the name becomes a metaphor for the building’s new life: a wish for stability and permanence for an architectural structure that once again becomes the beating heart of the region.

Team:

Architects: r3 Architetti
Photographers: Majlend Bramo