Terracotta, brick and plaster

Florence Hills – Renewal through history in Podere S.Margherita – Terraviva Competitions

The project for the restoration of Podere S. Margherita stems from an analysis of the main existing materials: terracotta, brick, and plaster. How can these materials be reused to give new life? This question is the basis for the project, which, alongside the aforementioned materials, implements modern solutions for the exterior spaces.
The general idea is to retrace the past of the interiors of the buildings undergoing renovation by restoring (and in some cases “freezing”) existing surfaces, complemented by modern furnishings and solutions to achieve maximum comfort.
The project unfolds across four main areas: A, the master apartment in the villa; B, the keeper’s apartment; C, the equipped swimming pool and solarium; D, the guest house. The villa, as the main body of the complex, encompasses all the residential functions and is an independent
element of the complex. The ground floor houses the living areas (kitchen, dining room, social room, and living room), while the first floor houses two suites and two single bedrooms.
The keeper has the opportunity to live in the villa thanks to a dedicated apartment in the northeast wing of the complex. The barn, on the other hand, houses new spaces and activities: a small spa supporting the pool and a cellar for convivial gatherings. It also houses a small apartment for guests of the complex, immersed in the convivial outdoor spaces.
The materials used in the interior renovation are none other than those already present on site: the terracotta of the vaulted surfaces creates a classy, high-quality atmosphere in the common areas, breathing new life into the complex’s ancient surfaces. The restoration of the interior plasterwork also enhances the quality of the spaces, which are brought back to life and interact with the modern furnishings.
The overall idea is to appreciate the quality of materials used in the past: modern technologies, in this case, support those interventions that, outside the complex, change the morphology and appearance of the outdoor spaces. The villa and barn themselves are agglomerations of brick, terracotta, and plaster, steeped in history and tradition. The qualities of certain spaces, such as the old cellar, are to be transposed
into new spaces open to conviviality and luxury. Spaces such as the old kitchen and fireplace are essential to breathing new life into the complex, transposing the ancient conviviality of these natural spaces into a welcoming and comfortable environment for the new owners.
The project aims to transform Podere Santa Margherita into a vibrant, year-round destination for leisure, comfort and relax — offering regenerative and beautiful experiences in close contact with nature.

Not a nostalgic replica of the countryside life, but a careful reinterpretation, rooted in inclusion, beauty, and historical continuity.