AGRICULTURAL HOLIDAY AT VILLA CASTELLAZZO

From an 19th century rural house into a jewel of a modern eco-compatible building

Villa Castellazzo is located in the hamlet of Reggio Emilia Castellazzo in the middle of the production area of Parmigiano Reggiano, Lambrusco and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar.
The villa was made by remodelling an old rural house that was on the land of Vitivinicola Rota, a company with a long tradition of a private winery.
The house was built in the middle of the 19th century and is particular for the area. It was a mansion with the apartments of the master toward the west, including an Italian garden, (still existing), unlike other rural buildings of the area that have only the house of the farm labourers and the barn attached.

A conservative renovation

The particular configuration of the building has encouraged a conservative, non-invasive, renovation. Many apartments already existed, although they lacked any type of plumbing. . Inside, the premises were renovated with new finishings and modern ground plans to ensure maximum use of space and comfortable living quarters. The project retains the traditional exterior facade through a genuine restoration while creating modern, comfortable, clean interior spaces.

Interiors of modern conception

Each apartment has its own peculiarities. The finishes are different depending on the feeling that was desired. The facilities offer maximum comfort with thermal floors and natural ventilation based on air circulation for the summer months.

Bathrooms and kitchens

The bathrooms have modern bath fixtures with the mark of Pozzi and Ginori, series 500, and faucets series Kandinsky, glass showers and heated towel racks.
The kitchens are complete, functional and modern.

Recycled materials and custom designed furniture

The restructuring used much recycled materials recovered from the ancient structure, locks, bricks, and timber. Some furniture and fixtures have been specially designed using materials salvaged from the site. Nothing was thrown out and the architect has not bowed to the logic of standardization and economies of scale. Every detail was taken and studied separately, looking for the least invasive solution with the greatest possible conservation of the materials. In this way the renovation has maintained the history of the house and the land.

The hayloft became the great hall

The large hall was built from the inside of the old barn, using three levels, nearly eight meters high. The plan is completely free with the effect of a changeable perspective. Changeable also is the light that permeates from skylights and east and west rose windows, providing an exceptionally bright natural luminosity.
The hall itself is a multipurpose room, adaptable for any type of use. It is ideal for weddings, theme nights, private parties, educational courses and activities of all kinds.

The terrace

There is also an outside terrace paved with river-rock, approximately 250 m2 large. The terrace is perfect for ceremonies and outdoor activities in between seasons, when one can stay pleasantly outdoors.

From a carriage house to an experiment in bio-architecture

The corporate office and reception area are in a separate building, the old carriage house of the villa : A small jewel of restored architecture that uses completely passive energy. The heating is done through a wood fireplace that is sufficient thanks to the straw thermal insulation in all perimeter walls. This is a technically unique building in Italy and perfectly eco-compatible. Local materials were used for the restoration (eg. For the isolation of straw that is 20 cm) and for the fire in winter we use the remains of vine pruning.