Studio Andrew Trotter demonstrates their unparalleled knowledge of Puglia’s buildings and landscapes by converting a once-abandoned villa into an alluring family home, the Casolare Scarani. From the outset, Casolare Scarani embodies Studio Andrew Trotter’s signature style. In the past decade, the Barcelona-based, multi-disciplinary studio has unveiled an impressive number of projects in the Puglia region. Puglia’s countryside is dotted with two types of residential buildings: lamias and masserias.
Traditionally, the smaller of the two, lamias, were stone sheds where local landowners could store their equipment, while the larger of the two, masteries, were where the affluent landowners lived. Casolare Scarani is a blend of the two; it possesses the style of a masseria while being the size of a lamia, which is quite unusual for the region, making it all the more desirable. Before it was abandoned in the 60s, the building operated as a school for girls, leaving quite a mark on the local community.
For the past six decades, it has been left vacant, eagerly awaiting its next chapter. While the villa’s dormant period meant it was in need of some serious making over, its original charm was still easily detectable – much to both the owners’ and Studio Andrew Trotter’s delight. In the interest of preserving the villa’s historic character, the studio has tried wherever possible to leave the exterior patina as they found it. A local artisan who makes his own lime plaster and paints was enlisted to refresh the internal walls and ceilings, while the studio sourced local stone that matched the old floors perfectly.
The original floor plan needed to be reconfigured, and rooms need to be added to accommodate the new owners. Spaces like the donkey house and stable, once serving a purpose, were obsolete and so were turned into the laundry and dining space, respectively. By peeling back only what was necessary, Studio Andrew Trotter has left the owners with an authentic piece of Puglia’s past – one that will serve them well into the future.