- Project: Casolare Scarani House
- Architect: Studio Andrew Trotter
- Location: Italy, Carovigno, Puglia
- Year: 2023
- Area: 260 m2
- Photography: Salva López
A Contemporary Masseria Rooted in Puglian Simplicity
Set among the olive groves near the Adriatic coastline, Casolare Scarani House by Studio Andrew Trotter is a poetic revival of the traditional Puglian masseria—a rural farmhouse typology known for its humble forms, thick walls, and connection to the landscape. Designed as a holiday home in Carovigno, the project reflects the studio’s signature approach: modern minimalism infused with Mediterranean warmth.
Balancing timeless craftsmanship with contemporary proportion, the house feels as though it has always belonged to the land. Every surface, detail, and shadow echoes the quiet rhythm of southern Italy.
Architecture Inspired by Place
The architecture draws directly from the vernacular of the Apulian countryside—rectilinear volumes, flat roofs, lime-plastered walls, and deep apertures that filter light and air. The building sits low to the ground, blending into the landscape rather than dominating it.
Studio Andrew Trotter composed the home as a series of connected volumes that frame courtyards and terraces, creating protected outdoor living areas for the region’s hot summers. The whitewashed masonry surfaces, punctuated by soft arches and wooden shutters, recall the agricultural past while exuding a serene, contemporary elegance.
Material Honesty and Texture
True to the studio’s philosophy, Casolare Scarani is crafted from local materials—limestone, lime plaster, and natural timber. These tactile surfaces interact beautifully with sunlight, producing gentle gradients of tone throughout the day. The minimal material palette enhances the home’s timelessness and ensures it ages gracefully within its rural context.
Floors are finished in polished stone and microcement, while handcrafted details—iron fixtures, timber joinery, and rustic furniture—reinforce the home’s authenticity. The palette of whites, creams, and beiges blurs the boundary between interior and exterior, allowing light and air to flow continuously through the spaces.
Interior Atmosphere: Calm and Essential
The interior is calm, uncluttered, and deeply atmospheric. Natural light filters through thick masonry walls, casting diffuse patterns on textured surfaces. The open-plan living area connects directly to the courtyard and pool, while arched thresholds lead to intimate bedrooms and shaded patios.
Every element—ceramic vessels, linen textiles, stone benches—reflects a sense of stillness and purpose. There is no excess, only harmony between structure and lifestyle. The design captures the slow living spirit of southern Italy, offering quiet luxury through proportion, material, and light.
Living with the Landscape
Casolare Scarani engages the outdoors as an extension of the home. The courtyard and pool area act as a central gathering point, surrounded by olive trees, rosemary, and dry stone walls typical of the Puglian countryside. The home opens up entirely to the warm Mediterranean air, allowing inhabitants to experience the changing light and seasons in an intimate way.
At night, subtle lighting reveals the sculptural quality of the architecture—its white walls glowing softly against the dark fields.
A Dialogue Between Tradition and Modern Life
More than a design exercise, Casolare Scarani is a meditation on permanence, simplicity, and authenticity. Studio Andrew Trotter continues its exploration of architecture that transcends style—spaces that are honest, tactile, and emotionally grounded.
Through restraint and craftsmanship, the project redefines what it means to build new architecture in a historic landscape: modern yet timeless, rural yet refined, understated yet deeply human.
