VILLA ERMINIA
Quinzano, VR, Italy
Residential - Condominium Units
Restoration, Adaptive Reuse
4,630 sq.ft. - 550,000 €
The rural house of Villa Erminia, an agricultural estate listed in the Italian Registry for Historic Parks and Buildings, was divided between two branches of the family in the 1960s and converted into condominiums.
The exterior of the building, its height and roof, the original stone walls, structural elements, and all characteristic architectural features, are all governed by strict preservation rules and regulations.
The attic space was converted into a condominium unit through adaptive re-use permits, these allowed the roof to be minimally ‘pierced' for the insertion of skylights. The roof was disassembled and rebuilt with a ventilated roof assembly using new and salvaged materials. Wood load-bearing beams were structurally reinforced by coupling them with steel I-beams.
In the existing third floor unit, the new floor plan was laid out to take advantage of the outside views of the park and vineyard. All structural wood beams were uncovered and left exposed to increase the ceiling height which varies throughout the unit. Salvaged antique doors, wood floor planks, stone and brick architectural elements were used in accordance with best restoration and preservation practices.