Slow living among the fields of Veneto

In Cassola, in the province of Vicenza, a traditional country house has been transformed into an elegant, contemporary residence. Named “La Campera” to reflect its setting among open fields, it has belonged to the same family for generations, explains architect Dario Scanavacca who oversaw the renovation. “The owners, who mainly use the residence at weekends, wanted to restore the building and add a swimming pool so they could also enjoy it in the summer.” This required a reorganisation of the layout. “The former garage has been converted into a new living area that opens through large windows onto the private garden and pool, creating both visual and functional continuity between the interiors and the landscape.”

The renovation work was limited and highly selective. “The changes were confined to opening new passages in the living area. We restored the lime-based plaster to preserve the texture and authenticity of the rural architecture, integrating it harmoniously and respectfully into the context.”

The swimming pool, set in a garden of olive trees, flowers and aromatic herbs, is the defining feature of the open-air living area and connects the two wings of the house. “The pool became an opportunity to rethink the whole property,” continues Scanavacca. “Its position was an obvious choice: it is convenient to reach and offers a view from the living area that can be enjoyed in every season. It integrates with the garden, where it serves as the focal point. The new garden also acts as a filter between the living area and the driveway, creating a smooth transition between living space and landscape and strengthening the connection between architecture and nature.”

For both the interior and exterior flooring, the architect selected the Realstone_Pietrantica collection from Ragno. “It ensures visual and material continuity between indoors and outdoors. The finish recalls the authentic look of natural stone, in keeping with the rural character of the building. The product was chosen due to its technical qualities and the availability of different thicknesses – 2 cm for outdoor floating installation and 1 cm for indoor glued installation – as well as specific finishes such as the R11 anti-slip surface for exterior use. This made it possible to apply the same material consistently and flexibly, maintaining aesthetic and functional uniformity across the entire ground floor.”

Special attention was devoted to energy saving and sustainability. “To reduce energy consumption, we insulated the building with an internal false wall and replaced all the windows and doors. The old heating system was substituted with a heat pump powered by photovoltaics. Underfloor heating was installed to achieve thermal comfort and energy efficiency, while porcelain stoneware combined with underfloor heating ensures excellent heat distribution and optimal performance. For cooling, we opted for built-in fan coils to provide discreet yet effective air conditioning.”