Layout proposal and typological analysis for a complex, articulated real estate development at the heart of a large nature reserve south of the commune of San Vincenzo, in the province of Livorno. The unique features of this area had a substantial impact on the project design stages.
First and foremost the wonderful natural environment and the all-embracing backdrop of farmed fields and woods. Within this setting, with its outstanding environmental and scenic value, the project presents the residential conversion and upgrading of a 16.000 square metres area containing derelict farmhouses and outbuildings. The project also involves the redevelopment and transformation of an old farm estate, which will become a hotel, at the centre of the intervention area.
The key challenge was to develop a project that would in no way disfigure the surroundings, but rather enhance them, at the same time providing our client with a competitive, high quality architectural result. The land around the old farm buildings, for which the Municipal authority has granted building permission, is fairly limited To comply with the building area restrictions, the project turned to a well-defined, recurring layout, frequently found in the Tuscan Maremma area: the traditional old farmhouses one finds scattered across the region. A new interpretation was found for these settlements, while at the same time attempting to re-create their atmosphere and adapt them to purely residential use. The project also focused on providing the best possible view of the surrounding scenery: each of the buildings has been designed and positioned to have the finest possible view over the enchanting, natural setting.