NESTLED…

between the provinces of Ancona and Macerata, lies the site of Casa DD. Part restoration part new build, the home and its adjoining pool were built upon an old ruin dating back to the late 17th century. While a full restoration of the original structure became impossible due to its near complete collapse between 2007 and 2008, architects Giorgio Balestra and Silvia Brocchini worked to preserve the beauty that remained.

With a desire to create a single architectural organism, Balestra and Brocchini opted to work in the traditional sandstone of the ruin, all while taking great care not to create ‘false history’. This was achieved by allowing the original structure, composed of an arched entrance and flanking shards of wall, to break free from the new home’s confines – both extruding forward from and to the left of the main structure’s envelope.

To the right of the new structure a modern infinity pool fits seamlessly into its surrounds with the help of a complementary palette of pale stone and teak decking. Along the pool’s edge, terraced steps double as platforms for lounging among water jets, while the pool’s pale interior allows the water to reflect a soft aqua color. The completed home encompases only half the footprint of the original structure but stands just as timeless through the sensitive design and preservation of what remained.

Photograhy by Giorgio Balestra.