This Country House in the hills in the province of Piacenza, Italy is the weekend retreat for a communications specialist who lives and works in Milan. The home can accommodate up to ten people so the couple often invites friends to come for the weekend or even just for lunch. The homeowner’s interest in biodynamic farming led to cultivating a garden filled with home-grown produce that ends up in tasty (zero-miles) dishes. After a lengthy search for a rustic farmhouse in the area, the homeowner found a piece of land in the perfect location and decided to build from the ground up, entrusting the project to Dutch architect Geert Koster. Here, everything is an exercise in sustainability – from the location and orientation of the building - to optimize solar exposure - to the choice of materials with outstanding insulating capability, to the geothermal heating and air conditioning system.
The home is clad entirely in kiln-dried vertical natural larch tongue-and-groove siding that, over time, weathers to an attractive silver-grey color. The facades, windows, and doors are set perfectly flush to create a sleek, minimalist look and to be virtually invisible when closed.
The interior design choices were made to craft rooms filled with an air of warmth and relaxation.
In the large wood-paneled kitchen, the table is made for entertaining, with guests comfortably seated on First Steps chairs designed by Christophe Pillet from Flexform. An especially comfortable Asolo sofa, designed by Antonio Citterio, was chosen to furnish the living room, and paired with the Any Day coffee table by Christophe Pillet, a Bangkok ottoman, and Gatsby armchair.
Two Gatsby armchairs upholstered in a vibrant shade of rust fabric and a Tris side table are placed near the large window that frames the view of the valley. But, here in the countryside, a good part of the day is spent outdoors, in the open air. This is why the homeowner was inspired to create actual “open-air rooms” that allow the home to be fully enjoyed year-round.
Ansel sofas upholstered in sophisticated shades of fabric were selected to furnish the veranda. Pico coffee and side tables in different materials and heights provide practical table-top surfaces. A Tessa armchair, with its finely crafted woven backrest and seat, is the homeowner’s favorite spot for endless hours of outdoor reading.
Conveniently close to the kitchen for outdoor dining on the back courtyard, is a Pico dining table paired with Echoes chairs. A pair of Echoes armchairs, placed on the west side of the home makes for comfortable viewing as the fields cool down at day’s end and the sun sets over the valley.
Project Data:
| Project name | Country House |
| Location | Province of Piacenza, Italy |
| Year | 2017 |
| Architect | Geert Koster |
| Products Used | |
| Photographer | Matteo Imbriani / Andrea Martiradonna for architectural pictures |
