Casa Caldesini: restoration of a Tuscan farmhouse surrounded by nature - Rocco Borromini Architect

Casa Caldesini - Rocco Borromini Architetto

In the heart of the Arezzo countryside, near Anghiari, three ancient rural buildings have found new life thanks to a careful renovation project. The project took shape with the precise intent of respecting the history of the places, preserving the deep bond between architecture and the territory. As happens with many rural buildings, these structures are born in symbiosis with the landscape, an authentic expression of an era and of spontaneous construction knowledge, what Bernard Rudofsky defines as "architecture without architects". Here, the past has not only been preserved, but interpreted in a contemporary way, creating a balance between memory and modernity.

The complex is made up of three main bodies. The first, once a home and stable for cows, now houses warm and functional environments. The second, a former barn and pigsty, now houses bedrooms designed for maximum comfort. The third, a converted warehouse, has become a ceramics workshop. Added to these is a small building, completely rebuilt after the collapse, and three hectares of land that are divided between lawn, olive grove and vineyard.

The intervention has kept the essence of the exteriors unchanged, limiting itself to a few targeted additions: an infinity pool covered in natural stone that overlooks the hills and a stone path that harmoniously connects the structures.

The first building is on two levels, with independent entrances thanks to the natural slope of the land. The woodshed is located at the north entrance, while once you cross the threshold, the dining room with fireplace welcomes guests with its expertly restored local stone walls. The recovered antique oak beams intertwine with the original roof structure, while on the ground, the hand-trowelled natural concrete gives a contemporary touch. The kitchen is developed around a custom-designed steel island, integrating burners, sink and worktop. On the wall, stainless steel shelves accommodate an ancient stone sink, while the floor is a mosaic of recycled Florentine cement tiles. The living room, adjacent to the dining room, offers the same atmosphere, with stone walls and oak beams that tell the story of the house.

The staircase that connects the two floors is a work of subtraction and lightness: a natural iron profile, suspended from the perimeter walls, with a brass handrail and a large sculptural ceiling lamp. On the lower floor, the private rooms overlook a living room, with local stone floors that blend seamlessly between inside and outside. The master bedroom, once a stable, maintains its original brick vaults, restored with a delicate balance between conservation and compliance with anti-seismic regulations.

The second building is on two levels and now houses three bedrooms. The roofs were entirely rebuilt respecting the original thicknesses, while the brick lattices of the upper floor were restored with ancient materials, providing a filtered light that echoes the atmospheres of vernacular architecture.

In this intervention, the past and the present intertwine in a harmonious dialogue, where history is not a limit, but the starting point for a conscious and respectful modernity.

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Project information:
Architecture firm: Rocco Borromini Architetto
Project name: Casa Caldesini
Website: / roccoborrominiarchitetto
Email: [email protected]