Ca’ Norina
The village of Montalbano is situated on the southern slope of Monte della Riva in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and it has retained its natural essence through the ages.
Ca’ Norina overlooks the village’s eastern side and consists of a primary structure from the 18th century, along with a postwar annex. The project arose from the client’s desire to create a two-level apartment.
Following a subtractive approach, a portion of the ground floor has been excavated to match the rocky terrain’s slope, restoring a link with the garden.
Two separate entrances at different heights provide access to the ground floor sleeping area, while the living space has been moved to the upper floor to take advantage of the valley view and increased light.
Structurally, the historic building is renewed with a new wooden and steel roof, so as to minimize its thickness.
Additionally, a metal beam frame and a central pillar on the first floor allow complete opening of the living area, enhancing the existing windows in the historic stone facade.
Dark Okumè wood is used for interior partitions and the new staircase, creating a strong material and color contrast with the rest of the house underlining the relationship between the historical structure and the new additions.
Credits
Year
2021-2023
Location
Borgo di Montalbano, Zocca, Italy
Client
Private
Project
SOLUM
Collaborators
Gian Mario Vecchiato
Niccolò Leonardo Calabrese de Feo
Structural engineer
Vignolprojects
Surface
83 sqm
Contractor
GM Costruzioni
Carpentry
materia.xyz
Photography
Nicolò Panzeri
Ca’ Norina
The village of Montalbano is situated on the southern slope of Monte della Riva in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and it has retained its natural essence through the ages.
Ca’ Norina overlooks the village’s eastern side and consists of a primary structure from the 18th century, along with a postwar annex. The project arose from the client’s desire to create a two-level apartment.
Following a subtractive approach, a portion of the ground floor has been excavated to match the rocky terrain’s slope, restoring a link with the garden.
Two separate entrances at different heights provide access to the ground floor sleeping area, while the living space has been moved to the upper floor to take advantage of the valley view and increased light.
Structurally, the historic building is renewed with a new wooden and steel roof, so as to minimize its thickness.
Additionally, a metal beam frame and a central pillar on the first floor allow complete opening of the living area, enhancing the existing windows in the historic stone facade.
Dark Okumè wood is used for interior partitions and the new staircase, creating a strong material and color contrast with the rest of the house underlining the relationship between the historical structure and the new additions.
Credits
Year
2021-2023
Location
Borgo di Montalbano, Zocca, Italy
Client
Private
Project
SOLUM
Collaborators
Gian Mario Vecchiato
Niccolò Leonardo Calabrese de Feo
Structural engineer
Vignolprojects
Surface
83 sqm
Contractor
GM Costruzioni
Carpentry
materia.xyz
Photography
Nicolò Panzeri