alfredo vanotti preserves and renovates farm building in italy to create 'ca' giovanni'

architect alfredo vanotti has preserved and renovated a structure in northern italy that dates back to the early 1900s. as the original structure, which was formally a farm building, held a great deal of sentimental value, the architect decided to preserve as much of it as possible. ‘I believe that in the historical moment we are experiencing there is a need to revive buildings like this, to renew their history, to give back ‘life’ to the materials of the past,’ vanotti explains.

all images © marcello mariana

the plaster on the exterior of ‘ca’ giovanni’ has been retained, while the plaster on the interior has been completely removed from the walls — exposing the original stone. alfredo vanotti recovered and restored the historic roof, including its supporting structure, the chestnut wood paneling, and the corrugated sheet that protects it from the elements. internally, a new concrete floor has been added, while all openings have new wooden frames.

in transforming the space into a residential setting, the ground floor was converted from a stable into a private study. the original hayloft, found on the upper level, has been converted into a living space and kitchen articulated around a centrally positioned fireplace. finally, a former storage room has been repurposed to contain a bedroom and a bathroom. in completing the project, vanotti worked alongside local artisans to design custom-made furnishings. elsewhere, chairs, wardrobes, and chandeliers have been restored and re-used.

project info:

name: ca’ giovanni
location: italy
architect: alfredo vanotti / EV + A lab
photography: marcello mariana