The refurbishing was done by applying wherever possible the canons of “BioArchitecture”. The objective was to ensure a balance between the environment and the buildings and to merge the buildings in the pre-existing habitat. The strategy adopted was to respect the genius loci and safeguard the eco-system, to privilege the psychophysical wellbeing of the beneficiaries and limit the consumption of resources by favoring the usage of renewable energy resources. We are firmly convinced that the relationship with the environment and our ‘mother earth’ needs to be rewritten in more deferential, respectful terms, always keeping in mind that our “wellbeing” depends a lot on our feeling “at home” somewhere and that begins with the environment in which that same “home” was built.

The renovation took into account the local culture, for example, by using a particular sand with a straw-like tinge called “arilla”, which is found in some areas near Amelia, traditionally used in plasters. In fact the dusty colors that distinguish La Gabelletta were obtained by adding this “arilla” to the lime and other materials typical of the nearby lands. Local stones, some coming from salvage and demolitions were used while materials of petrochemical origin were not – we believe contact with stone, terracotta and wood to be atavistic and that it helps create a feeling of wellbeing. The building techniques were based on the concept that one of the best ways to save energy is to pay attention to the capacity the building has of maintaining a constant temperature during the different seasons. In this way – heeding the teachings of the ancient Romans – the walls and the roofs were all insulated acoustically and thermally, for the illumination, low power consumption technologies were used, and, to top it all off, solar panels limiting the use of combustibles.

It was a renovation based on research and rediscovery; but it was worth it, because we’d rather feel good.

Numerous specialists were called upon for the design and the actual realization of the renovation, all firmly convinced of the value of a method of construction that pays more attention to the ecosystem. It’s clearly a more complex and expensive approach, but also a more efficient and sustainable one.

Misters Andrea Piselli, Giovanni Conti, Giuseppe Longhi, Riccardo Delle Monache gave a substantial contribution to the execution of the project in different areas: Mr. Andrea Piselli revealed himself an excellent construction manager and was responsible for the architectural design, Misters Giovanni Conti and Giuseppe Longhi, competent specialists of plant and structural designs, and Mr. Riccardo Delle Monache, a true old-style “master builder” able to create, without the need of centering, shuttering, vaults, domes and moldings. Many craftsmen also participated, like the master of steel, Mr. Gioacchino Barcherini, who created the most disparate artifacts and a young and talented carpenter, Mr. Marcello Gaggiotti. And in the end – last but not the least – Ms. Tiziana Tozzi, a dear friend and brilliant artist, who was able to bring back to life frescoes from the eighteenth century, propose elegant and refined decorations and create wonderful paintings of contemporary art.

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