House in Lottano

An old stone farmhouse brought back to life with careful restoration work and wood additions.

Built on a hillside in Lottano, Lombardy, Italy, this old stone farmhouse is surrounded by other rustic structures, mature trees, and thick vegetation, with the majestic beauty of the Italian Alps dominating the panorama. Inspired by the restoration principles of Italian architect and engineer Camillo Boito, Emanuele Scaramellini brought the abandoned, dilapidated building back to life while respecting both the local context and the vernacular design. At the same time, the House in Lottano project showcases a considered approach to contemporary architecture as a tool that enhances and highlights the existing Alpine architecture.

The architect preserved the old stone walls along with the original perimeter walls. An adjacent volume, left in ruins, has been rebuilt as a wood-clad extension with horizontal boards and lamellas that create a clean line pattern. While this pattern contrasts the ruggedness and irregularity of the stone façade, it also mirrors the sequence between the horizontal stones and the mortar that binds them. The choice of materials intentionally distinguishes between the original and the new elements. On the south-facing section, a large windows punctuates the envelope, its location marking an old fissure that had cracked the wall from the roof to the base of the house. The glazing welcomes the mountain and forest views into the living spaces while bringing in natural light.

Minimalist interiors designed with custom furniture and black iron details.

Inside the restored house, the architect installed a metal skeleton that provides support to the ceiling and roof. Painted black, the iron structure replaces the wooden beams, previously damaged by water infiltration and years of neglect. Emanuele Scaramellini also used black iron for other interior elements, including furniture, shelving, lighting, and door handles. Finished in light wood, the floors, window frames, ceilings and furniture add warmth and texture to the decor.

Organized in a similar way to a tower, each floor contains one room. The ground level houses the kitchen, which opens to a courtyard. Above, there’s the living room, while on the last floor, there’s the bedroom with the sleeping area located on a mezzanine level with access to fantastic views. The wooden volume houses the bathroom and services.

For this project, the architect designed bespoke furniture pieces. Minimalist and elegant, the furniture doesn’t crowd the living spaces but rather accentuates the airy, uncluttered look of the interior. These custom designs also perfectly fit the rooms they occupy, maximizing function and the available floor space. Photography by Marcello Mariana.