Italy’s building heritage is rich in historic structures with significant architectural value, as well as in more modest buildings rooted in rural traditions. Through their distinctive construction techniques and technical features, these structures offer valuable opportunities for renovation and the recovery of the built heritage. This is the case of this building, located near the historic center of Montalto Dora, which the owners chose to renovate and convert into their private residence. Once used partly as a dwelling and partly for agricultural purposes, the building was constructed with local stone masonry for the elevations and brick vaults forming the horizontal structures.
The restoration project sought to bring renewed attention to these technological and construction features, revealing the beautiful masonry textures of the façades, strengthening the vaults where possible, and reconstructing the brick grilles to maintain continuity with the past. Incongruous additions and later alterations were removed, the roof was rebuilt with a laminated timber structure, and new window frames were installed to enhance natural light in the living area. All technological systems serving the residence were newly implemented, including those for energy production from renewable sources.
