Masseria Caronte: Rural Restoration & Modern Function

Restoration of Rural Buildings and Rediscovering Their History

The rural farm restoration project is located in the countryside of Salento, in an area surrounded by olive trees and a short distance from the sea. This farm, previously known for sheep breeding and wool and thread production, reflects a traditional rural architectural style rich in history and local identity.

Over the years, the building has experienced a variety of uses and long periods of neglect, leading to the accumulation of incongruous additions that weakened the original design’s aesthetic. The significance of restoration projects lies in recovering the authentic historical appearance while preserving the distinctive architectural elements that reflect the identity of the place and its rural environment.

Through this approach, rural buildings can be brought back to life in a manner that respects their history and adds cultural value to the region, focusing on the removal of random additions and highlighting the original characteristics of the site.

Exterior stone courtyard of Masseria Caronte with a plant-covered archway and high boundary walls. — The traditional “hortus conclusus” or walled courtyard, originally designed to protect livestock, now serves as a serene entrance. (Image © Marcello Mariana)

Exterior facade of Masseria Caronte featuring cross-shaped light apertures and stone paving at dusk. — Strategic facade interventions, such as decorative light cutouts, modernize the building while respecting its original masonry. (Image © Marcello Mariana)

A minimalist modern fireplace built into a white stone wall inside a vaulted dining room. — Inspired by 1960s architecture, the new fireplace adds warmth and a contemporary touch to the dining hall. (Image © Marcello Mariana)

A vintage piano and rustic wooden wheel displayed beneath a traditional stone vault. — Historical artifacts integrated into the interior design reflect the building’s past as a center for wool production. (Image © Marcello Mariana)

Traditional Architectural Layout of Rural Farms

The heart of the farm is centered around a walled square courtyard, surrounded on three sides by tall stone walls, traditionally built to protect livestock and secure the interior space. The fourth side of the courtyard houses a stone building containing three vaulted rooms, originally used as a workshop or animal shelter, reflecting the multifunctionality of spaces in traditional rural buildings.

Developments and Additions Over Time

During the 1960s, two adjacent buildings were added to the main structure; however, the wooden roofs of these buildings deteriorated over time and eventually collapsed. Later, with the farm’s adaptation for commercial purposes, the upper roofs were rebuilt using brick and concrete to meet the needs of the kitchen and storage areas. Additionally, two small buildings were constructed to accommodate bathrooms and storage, equipped with concrete blocks and sloped floors covered with terracotta tiles.

Impact of Additions on Architectural Identity

The addition of a false wooden roof over the internal courtyard (hortus conclusus) caused significant changes to the aesthetic of the space, illustrating how modern architectural additions can affect the original character of historic buildings. This case highlights the importance of carefully studying and managing interventions in heritage buildings to preserve their traditional visual and functional identity while balancing contemporary needs.

Interior perspective showing a stone archway leading to a bar area with indoor climbing plants. — Visual continuity is established between the historic stone structure and new architectural insertions. (Image © Marcello Mariana)

Modern bar counter made of perforated white stone blocks under a reed and timber ceiling. — A multi-functional counter crafted from white tufa blocks serves as a reception, bar, and workspace. (Image © Marcello Mariana)

Addressing Architectural Contradictions

Before the restoration process began, the structure suffered from clear imbalances caused by accumulated additions implemented without following a conservative restoration methodology. Such random interventions often lead to a loss of visual and functional harmony in historic buildings, necessitating a careful approach to restore balance between authenticity and modern functions.

Subtractive Restoration Approach

The restoration process relied on the principle of subtraction, which focuses on removing false elements and inconsistent finishes, and addressing conflicting structures in a way that preserves the historical character of the site. This approach allows the original identity of the building to be highlighted without eliminating essential components, while ensuring that new interventions are clearly recognizable as deliberate additions.

Specific Architectural Interventions to Enhance the Space

As part of efforts to restore the pure and warm character of the stone building, the spaces were reorganized using three key architectural elements: a bench, a fireplace, and an architectural partition. These elements were crafted from tuff stone and whitewashed with lime, helping to highlight the contemporary nature of the interventions compared to the original structure, while maintaining overall spatial harmony and giving each element a clear functional role within the space.

Close-up of a white tufaceous stone wall featuring a grid of decorative square niches. — The grid pattern in the white tufa elements creates a unifying decorative motif throughout the renovation. (Image © Marcello Mariana)

Minimalist metal and stone shelving unit displaying wine bottles against a rustic limestone wall. — Modern slender metal shelving units provide functional storage while leaving the historic stone texture fully visible. (Image © Marcello Mariana)

Open white wooden doors providing a view into the vaulted dining space of the farmhouse. — Restoring the original openings ensures a seamless transition between the courtyard and the interior multipurpose rooms. (Image © Marcello Mariana)

Organization of the Interior Space and Its Functions

In the design of the interior spaces, the new architectural elements demonstrate how multiple functions can be combined harmoniously. For example, the counter serves several roles simultaneously, acting as a reception area for visitors, a front desk, a bar, and a cash register, reflecting the practical idea of efficiently repurposing space.

The fireplace adds a distinctive character to the room, inspired by the architectural style of the 1960s, while the architectural partition in the entrance hall prevents interference between spaces, particularly with the vaulted rooms, enhancing functional organization and preserving the privacy of each area. These elements also feature a unified decorative motif based on coffered patterns, visually linking the new components and bringing cohesion to the overall design.

Redefining the Outdoor Courtyard

After the removal of the old wooden roof of the courtyard, partial protection of the outdoor space was provided through the creation of an open area made of Corten steel and clad with roughly trimmed reeds, complemented by simple decorative additions such as terracotta lamp caps.

Tables and secondary furnishing elements were designed using durable, natural materials such as stone, wood, and steel, reflecting the project’s focus on simplicity and architectural essence. This approach illustrates how a traditional courtyard can retain its function and appeal while integrating modern elements that serve practical use and complement the historical character of the site.

Outdoor dining area shaded by a Corten steel and reed structure with large glass windows. — A modern shading structure made of Corten steel and reeds replaces the old wooden roof to redefine the courtyard space. (Image © Marcello Mariana)

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Masseria Caronte project can be considered a case study in the adaptive reuse of rural buildings, demonstrating certain successes in reorganizing interior and exterior spaces and highlighting traditional architectural elements. For instance, minor interventions such as the fireplace, the architectural partition, and benches added functional clarity and visually linked different components, reflecting an awareness of space and its role in daily use.

However, several challenges emerge that can serve as important observations for architects and restoration enthusiasts. First, the introduction of modern materials such as steel, concrete, and industrially manufactured reeds may diminish the sense of authenticity associated with the traditional stone structure, particularly in the courtyard and reception areas, potentially affecting the continuity of the historical experience of the place. Second, focusing solely on aesthetic restoration without a thorough review of the relationship between historical accumulations and current functions may create gaps between form and function, especially with modern multi-use spaces.

This project can be leveraged as an experimental model for developing restoration strategies that preserve historical character while allowing flexible interventions, provided that each addition is carefully studied to ensure a balance between authenticity and contemporary functions. Moreover, the project offers an opportunity to reflect on how modern architectural elements can be integrated into historic buildings without compromising the visual or cultural identity of the site, as noted in various architectural research studies.