Masseria Belvedere, a 1600s farm turned to a holiday villa, surrounded by centuries-old olive garden with an ample view over the Adriatic coast, merges completely into the Apulian landscape – this was initial architects’ from Valari design firm idea after seeing the original ruins.
Architects and partners at Valari – Domenico Sasso, Nicolò Lewanski and Federica Russo wanted to open up views that were obstructed, reveal places that were not accessible, and what’s most important, creating spaces that weren’t there previously.
Stone ruins on rocks, which architects discovered before the restoration, had a strong character which they absolutely wanted to preserve by mixing new architecture with the old one. The holiday villa they have designed hosts 8 double bed rooms and 8 bathrooms in the existing two-storey volume.
There is also a yoga room on the ground floor and a games room with cocktail bar. The ground floor, overlooking the sea, hosts the day area, a single space on two levels that follows the rock’s slope which includes a kitchen, a dining room and a sitting room.
Outside, the infinity pool runs parallel to the day area and to the sea-view horizon. Next to it, a solarium, a fireplace, an outdoor kitchen and a second dining and sitting area. On the first floor, the terrace from where to enjoy the sunset, hosts the Jacuzzi.
For this project, architects found a perfect balance by mixing pre-existing rocky parts with new elements of architecture. Project features some of the main materials as micro-cement and plaster to guarantee homogenous surfaces in neutral colours both inside and outside. For the interior, architects chose similar materials that can be found in exterior as well – bleached oak wood which blends into the landscape, arpicena marble, textiles and decor in warm tones – this all give the rural relic a more domestic feel.
Architects decided to replicate, due to the climate and Apulian lifestyle and context, all the indoors spaces outdoors, allowing clients to enjoy the outdoor life as much as possible.
While everything blends into the surroundings, some details pop out. “It was important for us to choose materials which could add the idea of comfort to the masseria’s complexity. The slender lines of the window fixtures in dark steel, the outdoor furniture in coloured metal, the brass indoor lights, like the bathroom fixtures and faucets, are all elements chosen to outline a contrast between the pre-existing and the new restoration, so as to make the perception of space richer” – conclude the architects.
Client: Puglia Investimenti Turistici srl
TYPE Masseria – hospitality
YEAR 2019 – 2021
PLACE Contrada Belvedere, Carovigno, Brindisi, Puglia, IT 72012
SURFACE 520 mq, Total area: 1 ha
