Gallery: 700-Year Old Italian Farmhous...

The masserie were built to protect the inhabitants – either the landowner and his family or his workers. The architecture was of Arabic, Greek and Norman influence and exteriors were strong, while interiors had doors that opened up onto a courtyard. Walls were thick (sometimes up to 80 cm) serving as fortification as well as thermal mass and providing cool, shaded interiors.

This particular masseria, Casa Puglia, was built from sandstone with large arched doorways, which were preserved when it was renovated into a modern family residence. Located on the top of a hill and oriented towards the sea to take advantage of the breezes, the home includes a small kitchen, living room, three bedrooms and two baths. To the east, the home is surrounded by classic Mediterranean gardens.

To take advantage of the beautiful arches, 36 custom shade screens were made for the home’s exterior windows and doors. These aluminum screens were water cut with a beautiful graduated pattern to filter in the perfect amount of light and still provide protection on the outside. The pattern, which is a new interpretation of the classic arabic “linear” pattern, gradually changes from very delicate and open to totally closed at the top. The shade screens let light play in through the building during the day and out like a glowing lantern at night.

+ Peter Pichler

Via Dornob