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A hospitality property that grew out of the redevelopment of a farmhouse on the Palazzo Valgorrera farm estate in the Italian municipality of Poirino
In the municipality of Poirino, in the province of Turin, Italy, stands We Rural, a welcoming and innovative country house by Archisbang. This hospitality project, which proposes an experience based on sharing and rediscovering the territory, was born from the redevelopment of a farmhouse in the rural complex of Palazzo Valgorrea.
Nestled on the plain between Turin and Asti, the property is part of Palazzo Valgorrera, a small rural settlement with medieval origins that revolves around an ancient castle and a manor farmhouse. Despite having undergone various renovations and new additions over the years, the estate retains all the character of its bygone era.
A central element of Archisbang’s project to re-purpose a section of the farmhouse as a hospitality property was to maintain absolute respect for the context. This has preserved the beauty of the rural setting, the landscape, and the mood of a working farm as distinctive elements, while also retaining the intimate, authentic atmosphere of the settlement.
Set in lush vegetation, the farmhouse and castle tower represent two different souls of a place where time seems to have stood still. The We Rural hospitality property was developed by repurposing the southern section of the farmhouse and the land in front of it, without altering the original external structure.
The focus of the project was to create an innovative and inviting guesthouse to offer people the chance to discover the local area through sharing a unique full-immersion experience in the countryside. Hospitality, events, and a shared kitchen are among the features that animate this facility, conceived as a destination for relaxation, sport, socializing, and team-building retreats.
Comprising several buildings, the farmstead included sections that had been abandoned, sections that had been restored for residential use, and others that were still used for their original purpose of storing farm machinery. While this variety lends a vitality to the site, it also meant that new interior structures needed to be built.
The farmhouse is a typical Piedmontese travà, with exposed roof beams and seven bays. The project expanded the building with the addition of two new self-supporting balloon frame structures with mineral wool insulation, fiber cement panels, and natural lime plaster finishes. Both structures float over a veranda space and feature a polycarbonate skin that acts as a filter between the interiors and inner courtyard.
Floor/ceiling assemblies use slender laminated veneer beech beams, while the existing shell was restored simply to enhance the texture of the exposed brick. Likewise, the existing roof was restored to retain the charm of its aged timber and maintain continuity with the sections of the structure yet to be restored.
From the perspective of sustainability, the architects set out to carefully preserve the historical structure while integrating it with innovative and non-invasive technology to create a flexible space that can adapt to different needs.
Outdoors, areas were redesigned to harmoniously integrate a swimming pool, sundeck, and bowling green into the setting. The southern elevation was opened for more sunlight and to create a garden, with the entrance to the reception strategically positioned off this space.
The interiors are on two levels, connected by perforated sheet metal spiral staircases. The kitchen and amenities are at ground level, while the upper floor is dedicated to the guestrooms, each with an en suite bathroom. An amenities space and fireplace further punctuate a large, homey lounge area set between two external walls.
An electric heat pump and underfloor heating system provide interior heating.
>>> Discover Country House by Fima Architecture Design Engineering
Location: Poirino, Torino, Italy
Area: 380 sq. m
Client: WE LIFE
Architect: Archisbang
Design Team: Arch. Marco Giai Via, Arch. Silvia Minutolo, Arch. Eugenio Chironna
Structural Consultant: Ing. Sergio Vighetto
Main Contractor: S.A.R.A. di Cotti Armando
Photography by Aldo Amoretti, courtesy of Archisbang
