In the Valle d'Itria, located in the Puglia region of southern Italy, lies a distinctive form of vernacular architecture — the Trullo. These conical-roofed structures, constructed from limestone, have become emblematic of the region. The walls are traditionally coated with white lime, while the roofs are formed by stacking limestone tiles in a conical shape, often adorned with religious symbols or motifs, and topped with various stone ornaments. The oldest surviving Trullo can be traced back to the 16th century.
When the Franco family approached us to design a summer retreat, the existing three weathered Trullo on the site immediately captured our attention — these very structures were the reason the family chose this location. Surrounded by olive groves and imbued with the southern Italian charm, the site not only offered historical significance but also a deep connection to the land. The brief was clear: restore and renovate these ancient conical buildings, adding extensions and a pool, to create a vacation experience that merges history with modernity. This is part of a broader resurgence in the Puglia region, where ancient structures are being revitalized with a fresh perspective.
When designing residential spaces, we usually let the spirit of the owner guide the design. In this case, however, the building itself already carries a rich historical essence. The stone, having weathered over millennia, carries its own stories, and thus the "soul" of the building is profoundly rich. The Franco family, with their dynamic and colorful personalities, presents another layer of complexity. The family, originally from southern Italy, lives and works in Milan. The mother is a renowned marketing professor at a business school, the father works in fashion, and their two sons work in the creative and financial sectors in various European countries. Every summer, the family returns to Puglia for a vacation. The challenge here was balancing the strong personalities of the owners with the equally strong soul of the historic building—an approach distinct from other typical vacation homes.
Before starting the design, we conducted extensive research into the history and the development of the Trullo, the existing buildings, and the materials used, hoping to draw inspiration from the structure itself and the surrounding environment. The three Trullo buildings’ exact age is untraceable, but we speculate they were built around four to five hundred years ago based on their architectural state and regional context. Adjacent to the Trullo structures is a square-shaped building, an extension from about a century ago. Based on its architectural style, it was likely a former farm tool shed, and the gap of several centuries between the original Trullo and the expansion is thought-provoking, raising the question of how the buildings evolved over time.
From the conical Trullo to the expanded stone house, the construction techniques changed over the centuries. The stones used in the Trullo are smaller, whereas the stones in the expanded building are larger and more intact. We approached this as a timeline and aimed to preserve the textures of the different materials to tell the story of time. On the side of the expanded stone house, we extended the design with two additional volumes, using modern cutting techniques that resulted in a neat façade. This created another new timeline, juxtaposing the old and new architectural forms.
The main entrance of the vacation home lies within the extension, and the design opens into a living area and modern bathrooms. The Franco family's lifestyle revolves around this central area, which connects the past on the left and the present on the right. To increase natural light, we enlarged the small window openings in the thick stone walls and replaced them with large square windows, flooding the interior with natural light. The built-in sofa, designed to blend seamlessly with the architectural space, creates a subtle transition between the traditional and the modern. We believe that the renovation of historical buildings should not simply preserve the status quo like a museum exhibit; instead, it should provide spaces that serve modern needs, allowing history to be reinterpreted and given new life.
The heart of the new space is the kitchen, a central gathering place for the family, particularly in southern Italy, where food is a critical connector. The kitchen features a custom concrete island that serves both as a countertop and a dining table. The stainless steel work surface by the window allows the cook to look out onto the olive groves, bringing a sense of serenity and connection to the outdoors. These custom pieces of furniture are designed to harmonize the old and the new, creating a seamless blend of the two. Large windows and sliding glass doors open onto the expansive views of the estate, offering a backdrop of rolling hills and olive trees, allowing the family to enjoy a poetic, tranquil experience as they gather for meals.
The master bedroom is located at the end of the new extension, with an entrance through an antique wooden door, adding a sense of nostalgia. The fixed furniture — including the bed and headboard — is traditionally built into the structure, and the room exudes a serene, minimalist atmosphere. The rooms for the sons, located in the oldest Trullo, each have their own distinct spaces, forming a cluster of small, cave-like rooms. We preserved as much of the original texture and character of the space as possible. In this five-hundred-year journey through time, we aimed to delicately enhance the historical details with minimal intervention. Light, perhaps the most ephemeral element, became our primary tool to highlight the space, with subtle lighting design that draws attention to the wooden beams, alcoves, and the natural undulations of the stone walls. The main lighting source comes from recessed spotlights that wash the ceiling with light, illuminating the room while emphasizing the unique atmosphere of the stone structure. Wall-mounted lamps in alcoves provide gentle warmth, creating a cozy and intimate ambiance.
During the renovation, we faced significant challenges due to the nature of the Trullo as a traditional and iconic structure. Since the conical roofs had largely collapsed due to their age, we had to repair the damaged areas using original materials to maintain historical accuracy while fulfilling modern functional requirements. The traditional building method involves stacking limestone on a cylindrical base to form the conical roof, and the double-layered stone walls contain a layer of rubble for insulation. This technique is still used today and showcases ancient Italian craftsmanship. To ensure authenticity, we collaborated with Cosimo, a master stone mason who has worked on Trullo constructions for generations, to restore the structure. However, Cosimo’s traditional building methods, while expert, were difficult to reconcile with the precision of modern architectural plans, as he relied on intuition and experience rather than detailed coordinates and specifications.
This difference in approach led to some delays, but after multiple attempts and discussions, we found an innovative solution: we used colored spray paint to mark construction points directly on the walls and floor, allowing for a more visual and direct communication of design intent. Through ongoing dialogue and shared visual references like photos and renderings, Cosimo and his team gradually came to understand the modern design concepts and successfully integrated contemporary elements into the traditional craftsmanship. Eventually, the three Trullo buildings were restored to retain their iconic white stone walls and conical roofs while integrating the convenience and aesthetic qualities of modern life.
For the landscape, we chose to leave the land in its natural state, showcasing the raw, red soil. One particularly striking olive tree is framed as a feature, with a cactus garden providing a leisure platform. A clear, reflective pool mirrors the lush olive groves and the bright sky. The villa is decorated with local art pieces that subtly blend into space, enhancing the authenticity of the environment without distracting from the architecture. Soft furnishings and lighting were chosen to complement the space, allowing the architecture to shine.
Bathed in the warm southern Italian sun, this vacation villa offers a rare experience that blends ancient history with modern living. It is a tribute to time, where nature and culture converge to create a one-of-a-kind vacation experience. The slow, tranquil rhythm of life at the villa allows the Franco family to enjoy a peaceful retreat. The Trullo is more than just a vacation home for the family; it is a monument to time itself. Through this project, we not only established a fruitful collaboration with local artisans but also ignited a deep dialogue between tradition and modernity, demonstrating the potential for historic buildings to evolve in the context of contemporary life.
Team:
Chief Architects: Shirley Dong, Matteo Piotti, Andrea Maira
Design Team: STUDIO8 Architects team
Local Architects: Nicola Francesco D'ippolito
Design Scope: Architecture, Interior, Landscape
Photography: Giulia Gallo
Copywriter: Zoe Kong
Materials Used:
Main Materials: concrete, line stone, stainess steel, wood
Brands: Artemide
