In the lush heart of the Abruzzo coast, overlooking the pine forest that precedes the protected marine area of Pineto, Casa ex Granaio is a residence that seamlessly blends history and contemporary design in a thoughtful balance. The project, by Valeria Aretusi, originates from the foundations of an ancient granary, preserving its material and emotional essence and reinterpreting it with a modern and sensitive architectural language.
Built in 2024, the house is the result of a new intervention that respects the past: exposed bricks, wrought iron details, and artisanal touches dialogue with large loft-style glass panes and a subtle yet meaningful homage to local culture, such as the reference to the presentosa—a famous Abruzzese jewel—carved into the supporting columns. To strengthen the connection to history, a faithfully reconstructed plaque recalls the building’s original function as a grain storage facility.
The interiors reflect a vision of a bright and fluid home, where the living area and the master bedroom open into airy spaces, with an open layout free of rigid barriers, inspired by urban living but immersed in nature. The project skillfully alternates authentic materials: brick and wood—already present in the original structure—have been preserved and integrated with reinforced concrete, adding solidity and coherence to the intervention. The original door frames of the granary, carefully restored, now serve as bookshelves and furnishings in the corridors, restoring memory and significance to every detail.
The dialogue between architecture and landscape is constant: small rural-style balconies and pocket terraces overlook the surrounding greenery, offering evocative views and a strong connection with the natural environment. Casa ex Granaio thus becomes an example of emotional and material regeneration.
Valeria Aretusi (Rome, 1983) is an architect with a studio based between Rome and Abruzzo. After training in Rome and Paris, she worked with Claudio Nardi Architects in Florence, handling large-scale residential and retail projects. Currently, she focuses on private interventions centered on eco-friendly wooden homes and Nordic-style renovations, with particular attention to the recovery of spaces and architectural memories. She is also the founder of the street art gallery Uovo alla Pop in Livorno, where she curates installations and public art projects on an urban scale.
For more info: www.valeriaaretusi.it
Project: Casa ex Granaio
Architect: Valeria Aretusi Architecture
Year: 2024
Location: Pineto (TE), Italy
Photography: Erwin Benfatto
