Renovation and expansion of a trullo in Italy

This incredible project is an historical preservation and extension of a small Saracen trullo, a typical rural building found in the Ostuni region of Italy, with an adjacent structure, a lamia, which remained only part of the perimeter walls. The renovation was undertaken by Luca Zanaroli Architetto with the intention to not only recover the existing buildings, but also take advantage of the possibility of creating an extension so as to triple the existing surface (originally less than 40 square meters) to establish at least four bedrooms.

Slightly recessed and lowered, the new volumes hinge the nearby structures while voids and large windows open the interior to daylight and the outdoors. Continuity between the materials and colors of surfaces smooth the transitions between the old and new. Inside, mortar coats floors and walls to unify the interior and reflect the southern daylight that enters. Minimal furniture and locally crafted objects compliment the qualities of the rustic atmosphere.

Photos: Max Zambelli

Casa Cañadas Molino Guadalupe in Cáceres

This gorgeous rustic country house in Cáceres‎, Spain was designed by Madrid based architect, painter and sculptor Kico Camacho, completed in 2010. Casa Cañadas Molino Guadalupe is an architectural restoration with concrete flooring, preserved stonework, steel staircases and railings, high ceilings and windows, open spaces and unique artwork. Enjoy this interesting dwelling and please leave us a comment and let us know what you think!

Photos: Courtesy of Kico Camacho

Dream country home in India: Brick Klin House

The Brick Kiln House is located in a small village Munavali, proximal to Alibaug, a favorite getaway, for affluent Bombay citizens as a place to build their dream country home. Designed by SPASM Design Architects, the house was built on three acres covered partly by a grove of Tamarind and Mango trees, with the odd, Champa, Vad tree. Part of the plot was four feet lower and was an unkempt paddy field. The front of the property is a not so busy asphalt road. When driving around the Raigad district, one often chances to see local brick stacks being baked on the green lots that surround them – some remain and are also abandoned. These form a peculiar feature of the landscape in Maharashtra. The architects wondered what it would be like to hollow out and inhabit this almost primitive mastaba like forms.

Their interest lay in using this image as a genesis of the house. Further conception, was informed by site features like prominent Tamarind trees and orientation, aspect, wind and rain direction. Long stretches of the two main wings of the 8,934 (830 square meters) house, sit at right-angles to each other and about a curious tree which has grown at a leaning angle. Every room is cut on two sides with  openings ,supporting easy cross ventilation and ingress of just the right about of light…..DESI (country) houses have peculiarly dark interiors offering respite from the sun, scorched outdoors.

Attached facilities, allow for an intimate interface with the outdoors, in marked opposition to urban life, here you wouldn’t need a book when you sit on the pot. The sequencing of the rooms is frugal, and in series as a farm building, you must walk outdoors to change rooms. The living space has a curious shed-like volume, where the materials of the house come together rather loosely. Insinuating incompleteness and creating a sense of being immersed in the vegetation around.

The body of the house hides under tree canopies like a gator, at the edge of a river bank. The choice of BRICK was based on color, strength, finish–blemishes of a hand-made unit were key to the overall expression. The red earth brick does not attempt to be precise, neither does it try to create patterns or jaalis as commonly seen in Indian architecture, the brick is what it is, at rest–a STACK, its mass concealing and revealing life within it. The sheer thickness–mass of the brick, keeps the interior spaces comfortably cool.

Experience of occupation takes precedence over formal gestures. Sun, rain and wind freely enter the house and will mark it over the years, the stacks will gradually get covered with luminescent moss, and nature will fight its way back. Living in a country home is about witnessing this war. The pool, takes form from the shadow of the trees on the earth below, a pattern noticed on an especially hot afternoon. In such regions water automatically becomes a source of life, getting engulfed by foliage.

Photos: Sebastian Zachariah

Impressive salvaged farmhouse in The Netherlands

This stunning renovated farmhouse is located in Utrecht, Netherlands, designed by interior design firm VIVA VIDA. The farmhouse was quite spacious and the clients wanted it to be designed with salvaged furnishings and materials. They wanted the original atmosphere and function but with any corny interiors. The designers found the perfect match between the original character of the house and contemporary, craft customization, fitting the atmosphere that the clients wanted in the areas and in the way they wanted to live in the house.

“You can spend your time relaxing yourself and you keep surprised and puzzled. All of the spaces are intimate and with its own character. They form entirely original details like the crochet stair parts and (re) use of old materials. The functional design of the kitchen and the special box beds make it personal. Even the wallpaper in our son’s bedroom is made from a photograph of my grandfather as a child around here plays. “

Photos: Courtesy of VIVA VIDA

Two houses connected by an atrium: Sundial House

Sundial House has been designed by Eugene Stoltzfus Architect as a beautiful country home situated in Harrisonburg, Virginia that has been developed from the urban concept of two houses unified by the street between them. The integration of the site positioning, the floor plans, the 3 dimensional form, the massing of masonry and the orientation toward the view and the sun, give this passive solar house its distinctive character.

The South House, comprised of 3,660 square feet of living space includes the kitchen, dining room, and living room. It is open to the street, with no interior walls. The North House, comprised of 2,340 square feet with a full basement, including garage, is divided into private rooms: bedrooms, office, laundry, and bathrooms.

The street acts as an Atrium and contains circulation in 3 dimensions: across between the two houses, lengthwise from entrance to back door, and vertically by stair from the basement to the ground floor and on up to the second floor. The Atrium roof holds the skylight with the center rod whose shadow allows the inhabitants of this house to tell time on the walls and floors of this perfectly oriented house.

Photos: Courtesy of Eugene Stoltzfus Architect

Striking rammed earth dwelling in the countryside

Sun and earth are the essence of this remarkable home called ‘Solterra’, which enjoys a privileged position in the spectacular high country of Victoria, Australia. Rammed earth and ironbark create a striking form, and huge expanses of glass capture the sun’s warmth and light along with panoramic views across bucolic fields to snow-capped mountains and never-ending skies. The property provides an incredibly private and peaceful sanctuary from the constant noise of modern life with opportunity to pursue rural interests on a manageable holding of around 40 hectares (100 acres) of undulating pasture.

The home is naturally warm in winter and cool in summer with zones designed to provide both an intimate couples retreat and the facility to host family and friends in grand style. The four bedroom, three bath residence offers just over 4,305 square feet (400 meters square) of understated luxury accommodation, complemented by extensive ironbark decking, a spectacular infinity edge salt water pool with Italian travertine terraces and striking landscaped gardens all designed by Jack Merlo.

This spectacular property is listed for sale from here.

Picturesque dwelling in the Italian countryside

This beautiful country house is situated in the foothills of the Val Tidone, in the Piacentine countryside of Italy. Designed by Park Associati architects, the home was conceived as a contemporary interpretation of the traditional ‘cascina’ and barns typical of the area, which is reflected in the materials and proportions, presenting itself as a modern design, free from nostalgic elements. The building has been designed with sustainability in mind: from its orientation that enables winter sun to be optimized while minimizing exposure during the hotter months, to the construction materials that have been specified for their high levels of insulation.

The house is developed around a central covered courtyard that forms the heart of the ground floor living area and offers unusual views from the bedrooms at first floor. The ground floor spaces have been designed to be continuous with the external areas for access during warmer weather to the courtyard and decked area from the living room. The ground floor consists of a cloakroom and storage area and two large rooms that are visually connected via large sliding glazed doors: the kitchen and dining area that are conceived as a single space and the living room; these areas have been designed as a series of spaces that lead from one to the other and on to the outside, through the courtyard and out to the timber-decked terrace.

At first floor there are four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The floors are covered in planks of iroko wood and local stone laid in an irregular pattern. The brick of the external elevations continues inside to become one of the interior finishing materials, along with plaster and a large, stone wall with a fireplace and alcove for firewood in sheet metal in the living area.

Timeless and elegant country style villa

This beautiful country style villa with French influence is located in Victoria, Australia. The residence is set on the crest of a hill and occupies a prime secluded location with stunning sea views. Built incorporating magnificent 19th century heritage timbers gathered from iconic Australian locations, grand scale ceiling trusses combined with deep timber window surrounds, lintels and entrance portico, the home of approximately 4,843 square feet (450 square meters) is surrounded by volcanic rockery terraces and is landscaped for low maintenance.

The home encompasses a gorgeous entrance portico through antique wrought iron and timber doors through a hallway into the enormous living room, generous farm-style kitchen, children’s wing of three bedrooms, second living area and mezzanine, family bathroom, laundry and full guest suite. Upstairs is a master bedroom suite with parents retreat and balcony with panoramic views. Via

A stunning cottage transformed in Provence

This charming house comprised of thick stone walls and wooden trusses is a former farm restored with great attention to detail in the French countryside of Provence, Italy. The transformation is the incredible work of architects Jacques and Eric Chevalier, now the home of a couple and their three children. The outdoor space of the home has been enriched by a swimming pool, while the interior allows you to witness the original structure, that of an ancient cellar where wine is produced.

The room that housed barrels has been transformed into a large living area on two levels, separated by a fireplace. To the north, the blind wall serves as a supporting structure of a double ramp of stairs. To the south, a large opening with iron painted black, designed by Jacques Chevalier, bordering with their bows on the inner courtyard where they grow palm trees and flowering plants.

The home features unusual decor, which mixes great design classics such as armchairs and chaise lounges designed by Le Corbusier-with furniture and objects of traditional rural French. In the kitchen, an old and unused firebox is framed by decorative block, the center island combines a rough stone structure with simple enclosures, open nooks housing wicker baskets, and a pantry enclosed behind six old wooden waxed doors. Via

Photos: SaiLLET/ Photofoyer

Fascinating sanctuary on the plateau of Cevenne

Sixteen years ago, Eliz and her family visited the Cevenne, in south-central France during holidays. This rough and barren country stole their hearts and six years later they sold their companies and belongings in London and bought a huge farmhouse on the top of a mountain. Eliz decorated every room in various styles and during summertime, the farmhouse is converted into a wonderful vacation house with more than ten different rooms. Via