Blending Tradition with Modern Sustainability
Casa Bacciana has always been a place of transformation. Once a 14th-century watchtower guarding the hilltop village of Montone, it later became a working farmhouse — animals below, family above — like so many traditional Umbrian homes.
When the previous owners found it, the house had stood empty for years. They took on a formidable task: bringing a near-ruin back to life. With the help of talented local builders and craftsmen, they carefully restored roughly half the property — revealing original fireplaces, stone flagstones, and terracotta ceilings, and ensuring that the spirit of the old building remained intact. Their work gave Casa Bacciana a second life, and we’re deeply grateful for the foundation they created.
Now, we’re beginning the next chapter.
Our goal is to restore the entire farmhouse — including parts that have been vacant for decades — while uniting the old and new wings into one bright, harmonious home. We’ve also been fortunate to acquire an adjoining section of the property, opening up sweeping sunset views across the Umbrian hills. This addition allows us to create larger bedrooms, a light-filled kitchen that flows directly to outdoor dining beneath a pergola, and generous new living spaces designed for gathering and relaxing.
As before, craftsmanship lies at the heart of everything.
We’re working closely with local artisans and builders, using materials from the surrounding area:
- Umbrian and Tuscan travertine for floors, bathrooms, and terraces
- Oak for flooring, doors, and joinery
- Hand-forged ironwork and windows from local workshops
- Breathable renders and natural finishes that allow the old stone walls to live and breathe
Outside, we’re re-imagining the pool and terraces, creating new dry gardens that blend with the landscape — lavender, rosemary, sage, olive — designed to thrive in the Umbrian sun with minimal irrigation. The new terraces will provide more space for lounging, dining, and watching the light change across Montone as the day fades.
As we restore Casa Bacciana, we’re also building for the future. The goal is simple: to make this beautiful old farmhouse as efficient, sustainable, and self-sufficient as possible, without compromising its character.
The house will feature:
- Air-to-water heat pumps throughout, providing both heating and cooling
- A large photovoltaic solar array, allowing the house to run primarily on renewable energy.
- Rainwater harvesting systems that collect and store water for irrigation, helping the gardens flourish through the dry Umbrian summers.
- Natural insulation using breathable materials such as hemp, wood fibre, and lime-based plasters, ensuring the old stone walls can regulate moisture naturally while improving thermal comfort.
- Smart ventilation to maintain fresh air and humidity balance year-round — especially important in a historic stone building.
Together, these systems will make Casa Bacciana a rare example of a deeply sustainable Umbrian farmhouse: one that honours its centuries-old structure while quietly integrating the best of today’s clean technology.
Our approach is guided by the same principle that defines the whole project — respect for what’s already here, and responsibility for what comes next.
Follow the restoration journey here or on Instagram @casabacciana as we bring this beautiful Umbrian farmhouse fully back to life.