Carbonana Castle

The restoration works of Carbonana Castle (2011 to 2015) were made so much easier by special clients who spared no effort or expense in salvaging the building and its surroundings and who contributed in creating a climate of friendship which narrowed the conceptual distances and which encouraged an exchange of expertise through diverse cultural sensibilities. It was particularly interesting working with  both a client and a colleague, as one of the owners is an interior designer.

The end-use of the castle, continuing in the tradition of a private residence, was perfectly compatible with the restoration project as it allowed for the conservation of the original spatial integrity of the rooms and of the floor plan.

The collaboration between client, architects, project manager and builders tended, from the start, to be open to suggestions stemming from small and big surprises the building offered up in the course of the project. For example: the discovery of some openings in the walls which with the passing of time had been sealed and which we were able to re-open and use,  traces of an unmistakable pavilion arches with perimetric lunettes, the bringing back to life of the decorative synopsis surrounding a 16^th century fresco of Madonna and Child, etc.

The alterations and modern refurbishments were corrected and everywhere possible use was made of recycled, antique materials befitting the ancient structure. Inside the high tower the staircase was practically unusable; we built a new one in wood and added an external passage way, also in wood, between the two towers.

Special care was taken to ensure that the new technological equipment and installations did not interfere with the original installations; the result is the fruit of a cooperative and harmonious interaction of the contractors, the artisans, the suppliers, the landscapers, the restorers and the construction trades.

We would be remiss not to mention the very important help we received from the government institutions, in particular the technicians of the Soprintendenza and of the city of Gubbio, allowing us to navigate with greater ease through the not always placid sea of bureaucracy.

– Daria Ripa di Meana and Bruno Salvatici, Architects

Carbonana Castle: Before the Restoration

Carbonana Castle: After the Restoration