Explore a charming farmhouse on the Chianti hills with Rizzi

The project for the refurbishment of a charming farmhouse dating back to the 16^th Century and situated on the crest of a marvellous hill in the heart of Siena’s Chianti region, overlooking vineyards and woodlands.

The focus of the Lenzi + Baglini Architetti architects practice. The hinge-pin for the architectural and interior design project was to blend together contemporary requirements with existing vernacular constructions, with the aim of creating a domestic environment in keeping with local traditions. The design was developed according to two fundamental guidelines:

• to make the interior spaces modern and functional, using natural light obtained thanks to large cut-outs and apertures in the existing masonry;
• to enhance the value of typical traditional rural architecture with a contemporary twist.

Distributed over two floors which follow the sloping movement of the crest, the farmhouse spans a double volume linked together by a modern floating staircase which joins together the living environment situated on the first floor with the bedroom area on the ground floor. On the first floor, the entrance hall opens out onto a large living room covered by a Tuscan dual-pitched roof over a vaulted ceiling stained with white chalk like all the ceilings throughout the house and dominated by a massive truss used as a top frame for the traditional stone fireplace; from here, two portals beside the chimney lead to the kitchen, a passageway to the second living area, which stands out for its all-glass wall with more apertures, conceived to enhance the concept of “clearing out and light weight” that distinguishes the entire interior, leaving the surrounding landscape to play the starring role. The charming square-shaped tower, the “heart” of the house’s private space, links the master bedroom situated on the ground floor to the living room and private studio housed in the attic, while an elegant spiral staircase with two reinforced concrete ramps produced by Rizzi (www.rizziscale.it – staircase diameter 160 cm) with total white structure and handrail and  brushed oak-wood steps stained sablé grey.

With a contained diameter yet a strong scenic effect, the dynamism of the staircase counters the powerful solidity of the perimeter walls which have been left with their face exposed and stained with chalk. On the ground floor of the house are the bedrooms, the reading area opposite a covered veranda overlooking the garden and the wellness area. The contemporary interiors are furnished with designer pieces made to the designers’ specifications.   L+B Architetti architects practice | Florence The L+ B architects practice has designed and refurbished residential and commercial interiors since 2009. The architectural research carried out over the years has focused mainly on the compleet cohabitation of both the language of traditions and the modern style of great Italian and international masters of the 20^th Century.

Each project is covered in painstaking detail, from taking measurements to graphic rendering, to the design of furnishings and the choice of supplies. They have partnered up with skilled craftsmen and design stores for years, as well as art galleries and local artists whom they picked out specifically to confirm the philosophy of their practice: to create settings with a “tailor-made” value.

Contact: Rizzi

Photography: Massimiliano Orazi