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In the former barn, now a lounge and dining room of Casa Claudia, Sabrina Bignami and Alessandro Capellaro of B-arch retained the original stone walls and brick openings. The glass dining table under the vintage Murano chandelier was custom-designed by Sabrina and Alessandro; the chairs are by Warren Platner for Knoll. -
An intimate patio behind Casa Claudia features three Calypso pendant lamps by Servomuto for Contardi – a contrast to the otherwise “rough” materials. -
For the makeover, Sabrina and Alessandro integrated several “boxes” of slatted timber, including the one between the two buildings, which links the homes. -
In Casa Elisa, the kitchen unit, designed by B-arch and made by Riccardo Barthel, combines a Carrara marble top with stainless-steel elements. The Caravaggio pendants are by Cecilie Manz for Fritz Hansen (previously Lightyears), and the stools are from Gubi. -
To maintain authenticity, the architects kept the arch in what is now the lounge and dining area in Casa Elisa. Beetle chairs from Gubi surround the farm table, the Modo glass chandelier is from Roll & Hill, and the shelving unit in lacquered wood and brass is by B-arch. -
Some of the original brickwork in Casa Claudia has been encased in steel-framed windows. -
At the entrance to Casa Claudia, a table designed by Sabrina is flanked by chairs by B-arch for Toscanova. -
Casa Claudia’s high ceilings in the living space are grounded by an Extrasoft leather sofa by Piero Lissoni for Living Divani. The weathered metal fireplace was designed by B-arch. -
Perched in the tower, Elisa’s master bedroom combines a black metal bed by Xam with custom cupboards with blackened steel doors by MS Arredamenti. -
Elisa’s ultra-refined Harold cabinet, made of stainless-steel mesh, was designed by Jesse Visser. -
The mirror and brass wall lights in Casa Elisa’s main en suite bathroom come from Florence. -
A retro sideboard, revamped in black, features a gold-coloured washbasin designed by B-arch and fabricated by Rubinetterie Fiorentine. -
In Casa Claudia, the master bedroom combines designs from the ’70s with a vintage brass bed, Goffredo Reggiani floor lamps and a curvaceous armchair thrifted in Florence. -
Claudia’s adjoining en suite bathroom features a Slipper bathtub from Gaia Mobili with tapware by Antonio Lupi, and a porcelain series from Fos Ceramiche on the wall.
WORDS AND PRODUCTION Laurence Dougier PHOTOS Nicholas Mathéus
An ancient farmhouse in Tuscany is reimagined into a contemporary space for two close families to live together in a way that allows for both separate spaces and communal living that embraces a rustic lifestyle.
In Tuscany, one century seems to blend into the next. Who hasn’t dreamt of lingering in the land of the Renaissance, between cypresses, olive trees and rose gardens? In the off-season, mist-enveloped panoramas dominate the countryside and, standing on the hillside that is home to the Podere Bussolaio estate, you look out at a landscape that’s changed little over the past five centuries.
Nestled among the orchards of Travalle, the original estate was built in the 15th century for the wealthy Strozzi family of Florence. Today, the 700m2 property is the home of two sisters involved in the fashion industry, Elisa and Claudia, and their families.
READ MORE: Monteleone Apartment
This made for an interesting brief to the architects. There’s tight bond between the families, but also a need for independence. And while both shared a desire for a home that combined contemporary design with the rustic architecture, they also wanted each half to have its own distinctive personality.
Before the sisters bought it, Podere Bussolaio estate had been used as a piazza by the neighbouring villagers. It was the home of theatre performances; there was a vegetable garden; an artist kept his sculptures there, and the butcher stored his artisanal sausages there. This heritage meant the last thing the families wanted was a cold, technological stronghold – creating a space that was all about sharing and community was a key part of the brief. Tasked with the project were architects Alessandro Capellaro and his partner Sabrina Bignami of B-arch, a practice started by Alessandro in 2000. “In 2013, this house was in a bad state,” recalls Alessandro. “The tower was on the verge of collapsing, there was no roof. Our challenge was to keep as much of the original stone as we could. Unfortunately, all the timber structures had to be replaced.”
As a result, the project was a long one: wooden roofs had to be rebuilt from scratch, crumbling masonry structures restored using stone found on site, and plaster surfaces re-created by hand based on traditional techniques. As a contemporary addition to the two existing structures, B-arch designed a minimalist timber box that not only creates a link between the two family homes, but essentially connects the past to the present.
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Casa Elisa and Casa Claudia both share similar architectural foundations and modern, functional, open- plan layouts, with a canvas of soft colours and Albanese stone flooring that binds them. It’s the interior decor that distinguishes the two spaces, giving each a unique personality.
Acknowledging Podere Bussolaio’s heritage, B-arch created a modern rustic aesthetic with an interior that combines natural textures and artificial materials. This constant contrast between rough and smooth surfaces makes for a contemporary space that reflects the identity of both families while allowing their individual tastes to shine through.
Claudia’s home in the old barn features a large, open-plan living area with glazed openings, while Elisa’s contains a large kitchen that’s the focus of the home. Both share a communal outside space, which includes a vast garden, the estate’s ancient orchards and a gym. It’s the pool, though, that is always the natural gathering point for the families, friends and guests who enjoy lazy Sunday lunches at its outdoor cooking area.
As an architectural study, Podere Bussolaio has remained true to its Tuscan roots, and is a beautiful balance between old and new, and traditional and modern. More than that, it is also a wonderful home for two close families, where they can enjoy each other’s company and raise their children.
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