kengo kuma + associates: casalgrande old house

‘casalgrande old house’ by kengo kuma and associates, reggio emilia, italy image © marco introini all images courtesy of kengo kuma and associates + casalgrande padana

tokyo-based kengo kuma + associates has recently completed ‘casalgrande old house’ an intervention to an existing farmhouse within the countryside of reggio emilia, italy. located on casalagrande padana’s production site, italy’s first company to specialize in porcelain stoneware, the vernacular structure which has been fully restored and adapted to become the historical and documentary archive for the company. the large interior court features the materials of the original building with the exposed ceiling joints, brick archways and vaulted ceilings where the contrasting white surfaces indicate the remodeled structure seen with the raised platform and supporting columns.

glass is used in the stair treads and loft to allow for a continuous views of the space where the relationship between past and present collide. the rectilinear pieces which are suspended within the ceiling installation are also used as a shelving case which stores printed material located at the rear wall. having survived the extensive industrial evolution of the surrounding territory, this venue with landscaped garden attempts to produce delicate interventions throughout the space which will also serve as a cultural hub for exhibitions, meetings events for the community.

surrounding garden image © marco introini

vaulted foyers image © marco introini

(left) restored brick wall (right) porcelain archive image © casalgrande padana

backlit archival space image © marco introini

ceiling installation image © marco introini

(left) loft space image © casalgrande padana (right) metal screen leading to basement image © marco introini

floating stairs with glass feature image © marco introini