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Double-Height Stone Aosta Valley
This project involves the transformation of a 1920s rural stone house into a contemporary private residence.
The house is a detached two-storey building, open on all four sides and located on a flat plot in a mountainous landscape of Northern Italy.
The goal was not to replace the existing structure, but to work with its configuration in order to create larger, brighter spaces suitable for everyday living.
The stone walls, the elongated shape of the house and its relationship with the surrounding landscape became the key elements guiding the intervention.
The intention was to create calm and durable interiors where space, material and light form a continuous experience.
EXISTING STRUCTURE
The house follows a typical rural typology of Northern Italy.
The volume is elongated and composed of several separate rooms without a clear spatial hierarchy.
The main entrance is located along the long side of the house and divides the building into two parts: a smaller left wing and a larger right wing.
The entrance opens into a central stair hall.
The original staircase is a single run with wooden steps resting on a masonry arch base.
Within the main space there are four brick columns that organize the room, while in the left part of the house a masonry wall defines one of the spaces.
In part of the main wing the upper level is absent, creating an open vertical volume between the two floors.
This space became the starting point for rethinking the internal organization.
DESIGN DECISION
Before defining the final configuration, two possible directions were considered.
The first option proposed closing the open volume and keeping the house as a sequence of separate rooms.
The second option kept the space open and used it as the centre of the living area.
The second solution proved more consistent with the character of the house and allowed the interior spaces to become more open and connected.
To strengthen the relationship between interior and landscape, the south-east façade was opened with a full-height glass surface.
SPATIAL STRUCTURE
The interiors are organized as a continuous sequence running along the entire length of the house.
Entrance
Kitchen
Dining area
Central fireplace
Living room
Landscape
The fireplace becomes the balancing point between the dining area and the living space.
At the end of the house a large glass opening connects the interior with the mountains and the surrounding landscape.
GROUND FLOOR
The ground floor contains the main functions of the house.
In the right wing an open space combines kitchen, dining area and living room with double height.
In the left wing there is a study, a bathroom and a guest bedroom with its own bathroom.
The main staircase is redesigned with three flights and two landings to make the connection between floors more comfortable.
The living area opens towards the landscape through large windows facing the pool and the forest.
UPPER FLOOR
The upper level is dedicated to the private areas of the house.
In the left wing there are two bedrooms with bathrooms.
In the right wing there is the main bedroom area with bedroom, bathroom and walk-in wardrobe.
An internal gallery overlooks the double-height living space and visually connects the two levels.
This relationship is reinforced by a spiral staircase linking the gallery with the living room.
A second fireplace completes the vertical composition of the central space.
DOUBLE-HEIGHT SPACE
The open volume in the main wing was used to create a double-height living room.
This element introduces vertical scale and natural light into the central part of the house.
From the gallery on the upper floor the entire spatial sequence can be perceived:
fireplace → living room → glass façade → landscape.
MATERIALS
The interiors are based on a palette of natural and durable materials.
Pietra Serena flooring
existing natural stone walls
dark walnut panels
mineral surfaces
cognac-coloured leather seating
LIGHT
Light plays a central role in the perception of the spaces.
Three large windows frame the view of the pool and the surrounding forest.
The full-height glazing captures the changing daylight and brings the landscape into the house.
INTERIORS
The interiors are conceived as restrained and well-proportioned spaces.
Furniture remains low and sculptural, allowing the materials and the depth of the space to remain the focus.
A curved leather sofa defines the living area around the fireplace.
Large abstract artworks introduce warm mineral tones into the stone interior.
LANDSCAPE
The house opens toward a natural landscape of forest and mountains.
The pool, positioned along the south façade, reinforces the relationship between the house and the view.
Water reflects light into the interior and visually extends the living space toward the outside.
CONCLUSION
The project shows how a simple rural house can become a contemporary residence while preserving its original character.
The transformation does not impose a new form but reveals the spatial qualities already present in the building.
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