Contemporary Family Home Of A Stone Barn

This contemporary family home is a converted stone barn in Italy, and it shows many sustainable features

This contemporary family home is a converted stone barn in Italy, and it shows many sustainable features

Located in Chievo on the outskirts of Verona, near the Adige River, this elegant country house occupies a converted stone barn that has been thoroughly renovated by Milan-based architecture practice Studio Wok. Today this is a three-storey family home that combines the requirements of modern living with the setting’s agricultural heritage and features some sustainable design through energy efficiency, the use of local and recycled materials, and landscape preservation.

Externally, the barn’s load-bearing walls have been stripped of their plaster to reveal a beautiful texture of river pebbles. Strategically placed windows and doors, framed by off-white Biancone marble puncture the walls creating a playful geometrical composition. The windows, along with a pool-facing, double-height arch that has been re-opened, and floor-to-ceiling glazing on the side of the building, allow plenty of daylight to illuminate the interior and a plethora of views of the surrounding countryside.

On the ground floor, a large living and dining room is centred on a double height space fronted by the glazed arch that opens up onto the garden, while a brick fireplace is the focal point of the library. Upstairs, the three bedrooms are engulfed in the warmth of the natural timber finishes, whereas the family room on the top floor is a white-washed abode punctured by small windows and skylights.

Majestically standing by the pool, and framed by black metal edging that pops out against the white paving, the tree, which is as tall as the house and can be seen from all the rooms, not only provides a beautiful focal point but also casts mesmerizing shadows on the stone façade as the sun sets over the horizon, providing yet another graceful reminder that nature and the built environment ought to coexist in harmony.

2 of 8
The house features various windows here and there that give much natural light to the inner spaces

The house features various windows here and there that give much natural light to the inner spaces

3 of 8
The inner decor is done with wood, plywood, marble and river pebbles

The inner decor is done with wood, plywood, marble and river pebbles

4 of 8
The spaces are open and show off high ceilings plus simple contemporary to minimalist decor

The spaces are open and show off high ceilings plus simple contemporary to minimalist decor

5 of 8
The color palette is all-neutral, with simple textiles and neutral furniture

The color palette is all-neutral, with simple textiles and neutral furniture

6 of 8
The bathrooms also feature windows that fill the space with natural light but the window is frosted

The bathrooms also feature windows that fill the space with natural light but the window is frosted

7 of 8
The kitchen is sleek and narrow, there are some cabinets and built-in appliances

The kitchen is sleek and narrow, there are some cabinets and built-in appliances

8 of 8
The tree in the center of the backyard is the centerpiece, which is seen from each window

The tree in the center of the backyard is the centerpiece, which is seen from each window

Source: yatzer