Le Stalle

Tronzano Lago Maggiore, Italy

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Le Stalle

Tronzano Lago Maggiore, Italy

Firm

Pedro&Juana

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2024

SIZE

1000 sqft - 3000 sqft

BUDGET

Unknown

Le Stalle, a stable—or rather, the ruins of a stable—sat in a rural area near Lago Maggiore, Italy, that can only be reached via an ancient Roman cobblestone road. The clients approached Pedro&Juana looking to transform the remains of Le Stalle into two vacation homes. Although the original structure could not be repaired because of its exposure, preservation laws in Italy required the new construction to respect the original footprint while allowing for an expansion of up to 20%. With these limitations in mind, and in an effort to honor its history, Pedro&Juana preserved the stable’s robust rectangular shape (albeit 20% bigger) and sturdy stone walls while splitting the structure in two to create a visual break between the houses. The gabled slate roofs of each volume tilt in different directions, as if the back house was peaking for a glimpse of the glittering lake five hundred meters below.

The new stone walls were crafted using recycled rocks from the ruins. So far, so ancient— but how can we teach ancient stones to speak our contemporary language? To shed some novel light on history and to brighten the interiors, Pedro&Juana punctured the walls with thick concrete frames that captured the Italian landscape. One of them frames the bell tow er of a church perched on a mountaintop, while the other captures a section of the forest. These windows become dynamic paintings, shifting their views as one moves through the spaces—from the dining room to the bedroom, onto the kitchen, and finally reaching the terrace, where one is hypnotized by the changing colors of the high-rising peaks of the Alps and the sun-warmed scents of the surrounding plants.

Doubled downpipes of Corten steel run down a third of the façade, crossing a subtle horizontal indent on the granite walls, which lightened the structure's appearance. Overhanging roofs with thick eaves further anchor the volume below. Le Stalle reclaims the original use as a refuge for shepherds and their flocks in these woody, steep Lombardian hills, using contemporary design to update the concept of shelter.

Due to their steep hillside location, Casa A and Casa B extend over two levels. The central split holds a staircase that leads up towards a lush outdoor area and the upper floor entrance of Casa B. The rich atmosphere of the garden contrasts with the rocky appearance of Le Stalle, an element that continues indoors. Each house has its own color scheme that shifts across the kitchen tops, cabinets, and bathrooms. The detailed and thoughtful com position of the individual bathrooms, with their bright and colorful floor-to-ceiling tiles, is a relaxing treat.

In the end, the old structure of Le Stalle did change! The ruin was transformed into two homes that proudly wear their historical heritage, engaging with Pedro&Juana’s design to create an ideal space to sit and enjoy the view.

Project Team: Mecky Reuss, Ana Paula Ruiz Galindo, Livia Arroyo, Adriana Carlos, Diego Manzano, Rosario Madrazo, Mariel Kuri.
Constructor: Studio Catenazzi
Photos: Gaia Cambiaggi Anna Positano | Studio Campo, Andreas Reuss

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Le Stalle

Tronzano Lago Maggiore, Italy

Le Stalle

Tronzano Lago Maggiore, Italy

Product Spec Sheet

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