Renovation of a Farm House and Barn in Tuscany
This simple farm house and attached barn, Casetta Santa Maria, has an open view of the rolling hills of Southern Tuscany. The two-story house is flanked by a spacious barn on one side, and a small ruin on the other. While adhering to the strict planning laws of Tuscany, the barn is converted into ateliers, the ruin into a bathroom. (2022-2023)
The abandoned land and 100 olive trees are in the process of being revitalised.
The roof of the barn needed to be entirely rebuilt, the foundation of the house reinforced, the rainwater system entirely redone. Traditional tuscan roof and fascia with reclaimed, antique roof tiles are used to connect to the surroundings. Local and traditional building materials, such as tuff stone, travertine floor tiles, wood and terracotta are used.
Conversion to Bathroom at a Farm House in Tuscany
This simple farm house, Casetta Santa Maria, is located in Southern Tuscany. The two-story house had only a small toilet and shower, which was only accessible from within a bedroom on the upper floor.
While adhering to the strict planning laws of Tuscany, a small ruin at the entrance to the house is converted into the main bathroom.
The form of the ruin needed to be exactly retained. Now a large opening is a door that creates an indoor/outdoor shower and is an exterior bathroom entrance for summer guests. An interior connection is established, off of the kitchen.
Traditional tuscan roof and fascia with antique, salvaged roof tiles connect with the surroundings. The interior is from local travertine, partly custom chosen and cut.
120 Olive Trees, Revitalisation
The 4 Ha land with 120 olive trees had been abandoned for over 15 years as well as all surrounding vegetation. Olives, without continual pruning, not only stop producing olives, but can perish. Part of the cultural landscape of Southern Tuscany, the decision was made to care for the trees. This meant a many year commitment and process, which is ongoing.
Olives need to be pruned in late winter, February/March. The quick rebounding and production of olives already in the first year (harvest is in November) was reassuring that this care had been needed—and will continue in Bio/ ecological production.
An Initiative for a collective neighbourhood Olive Oil Label was started.
The fields between the olives are used by the neighbour to grow hay. In turn the fields are kept free of woody growth and mowed only a few times a year. Cleaning under the trees is essential for their health.
University Teaching
In working with students, my goal is to facilitate each students‘ individual process.
Essential for designers is to become good observers—To develop the ability to evaluate our surrounding environment and to develop a sense of the specific, existing qualities. Perception and Sense of Space.
Designing focuses on the translation of these existing conditions, including the context (social, spatial, ecological and geographical) into a vision that gives as much back to the existing as the space it uses.
In evaluating design, I strive to help students to identify harmonious, holistic solutions that support renewable resource principles and simultaneously form usable, beautiful spatial structures.
Kitchen Garden at Casetta Santa Maria in Tuscany
The enclosed structure provides some protection against large wild animals (wild boar, porcupines) however, it was badly executed and unfinished. Over time, ever more of the structure was removed or replaced.
The soil was enhanced with a layer of compost, on top of crimped weeds and a cardboard covering. The type and also direction of plantings are changed in order to enhance synergies.
Outside of the enclosed vegetable garden, two areas for growing larger crops were established.
Untreated wood chips were used for pathways to reduce vegetation and also in the beds as mulch to help with water retention. Reclaimed materials are used throughout.
Public Lectures & Workshops
Garden Design, Casetta Santa Maria in Tuscany
The two-story farmhouse, with its converted barn, are a part of the cultural landscape of Southern Tuscany. The 4 Ha land with 120 olive trees had been abandoned for over 15 years as well as all surrounding vegetation.
The main, 75sm terrace at the house entrance marks a plateau with a wide and open view of the rolling hills to the West. Terraced areas were created by way of dry walls, made from salvaged tuff stones, on the steep slope. Here, the perennial plantings are intended as a low boarder and include many misquote repelling, draught tolerant, local species.
To the East, the hill was literally sliding into the house. Here, a long, low dry wall was built with local tuff stone for flooding mitigation and water preservation. This creates a long, wide boarder, which frames the East side of the house and creates a separation to the vegetable garden.
To the South, the converted barn now looks onto a terrace and into a shady, thickly greened garden. This small garden is peaceful and contained, the plateau on which the house is build ending sharply thereafter.
Each side of the house has a different character and relation to the surrounding landscape. Throughout the day and season, spaces for shade or sun revolve around the house. Several different terraces provide possibilities for sitting or relaxing.
In connection to the entire farm, the inner garden zones created around the house have approximately 1000m2.
Exhibition Design
Exhibitions must be impactful spatial installations that intrigue and invite the viewer. Our goal is to create exhibitions that work on many levels: In conveying main ideas with ease, while enabling to delve deeply into selective themes.
Exhibitions made for specific spaces or for travel, for display in museums and as temporary installations, fairs or workshops.
URBAN LIVING project
Urban Living seeks to discuss future forms of urban residential construction, while considering their design qualities and social influences.
How can residential building strengthen urban structures and provide new opportunities through densification? How can mono-structures be broken up and open spaces upgraded? How can architecture meet the requirements of new cohabitation forms, addressing a broader social mix or the combination of living and working?
The exhibition and publication present exemplary designs that were generated in the Urban Living Workshop, with thirty international architecture offices, over a period of a year.
Kristien Ring, AA PROJECTS, was commissioned by the Berlin Senate for Urban Development to document the results of the workshops in the form of a publication. Additionally, an exhibition that included built projects from SELF MADE CITY, as well as accompanying discussions.
The exhibition was also shown in Madrid.
