Corte Renèe: Culture, Lighting, and Tradition in the Restoration of a 19th-Century Farmhouse

Through a major and complex restoration project, architecture firm Bricolo e Falsarella Associati has breathed new life into a stone farmhouse in the green hills near Lake Garda. Without betraying the history and traditions of the 19th-century structure, the project has repurposed it into a small, welcoming resort, Corte Renèe. The project centered on a question posed by the architects themselves: How could new elements – including an access tower, additional openings in the original walls, partition walls, stairs, furniture, and new services – be incorporated into the structure without compromising its charm and while maintaining a balance between historical authenticity and contemporary design? They found the solution in the “natural imperfection” of the new elements combined with the old.

The project involved two phases. First was the conservative restoration of the existing structure. Next came the incorporation of new functional elements to adapt the building to its new purpose, with these new elements designed to showcase the construction process through material imperfections and raw surface finishes.

Special attention went into the openings of the two buildings, from the windows and doors to the new apertures and interior dividing arches. Specific rules were established for each element, with some of the original windows transformed into doors, and vice versa, with each seamlessly incorporating iron frames, intentional chipping, roller shutters, and state-of-the-art blinds.

The minimalist forms of the openings also required meticulous work with artificial light, a job entrusted to Qu. The result is lighting design that integrates perfectly with the buildings and rooms, while adding a warm, welcoming touch. In fact, the lighting has added a psychological dimension to the structure, infusing it with a deeply human element.

Lighting in dialogue with the past

Besides their understated designs, one reason behind choosing Qu’s small luminaires was their ability to dialogue with the project’s black iron elements without overpowering the overall design. In fact, the lighting engages in a calm and elegant dialogue with both the existing and new elements.

Created in collaboration with Bricolo + Falsarella, Qu’s innovative luminaires are unique, including, for example, linear systems incorporated into cubes of washed concrete, and fixtures recessed into furniture and walls. Among the products Qu supplied for the project are Dorotea, Penelope Flex, Dress Me P. and Rocchetto P. The first is an elegant pendant designed by Massimo Dei of Studio 63. It features a machined aluminum body, which houses a high color-rendering LED source. Part of the Arcipelago Capsule Collection designed by Parisotto + Formenton Architetti. Penelope Flex is an adjustable mini reading lamp. Dress Me P is an essential point lighting system designed by Chiara Frigerio and Andrea Roscini, founders of 23 Bassi Studio di Architettura. Finally, Rocchetto P is an adjustable spotlight for ceiling or wall mounting.

The balance of light, architecture, and tradition has culminated in a project in which all the elements come together to tell a single story.

For more information: www.qu-lighting.com