The Box in the Convent
in ARCHITETTURA | architecture
@ Dario Castellino I The Box in the Convent,
In the heart of Valle Maira, in the hamlet of Maddalena, near the town of Prazzo (Cuneo, Italy), architect Dario Castellino has designed the conversion of a medieval building from the 15th-16th century, likely a former Capuchin convent. The structure, once repurposed as a rural facility with animal shelters and barns, had fallen into abandonment: its dry-stone walls remained intact, but the interiors had collapsed, leaving an empty space with traces of its original layout and a large fireplace. The restoration was driven by the desire of a young couple to transform the vast volume into a compact second home, a sort of living capsule suspended in space. With a minimalist and sustainable approach, the project preserved the existing envelope, including stone walls, roof, and original openings, maintaining the historical memory of the site. Inside, an independent structure made of laminated wood and glass, slightly cantilevered, was introduced, accessible via a light metal staircase. While completely autonomous from the original shell, the new structure engages in dialogue with it through a subtle balance between material contrast and spatial continuity.
@ Dario Castellino I The Box in the Convent,
The use of local natural materials, such as lime compound from Piasco and hemp from Carmagnola for the capsule’s insulation, reflects a commitment to environmental sustainability and traditional construction techniques. This intervention stands as a virtuous example of heritage regeneration in mountain areas, blending preservation and innovation. “The Box in the Convent” is a testament to an approach that values the past without forsaking modernity. The project won the “Minimal Interior Architecture” award at the “All’insù. Architecture in the Mountains” Festival (April 2025), promoted by the Comunità Montana di Valle Camonica and part of the Architecture Festival, an initiative of the General Directorate for Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture.
@ Dario Castellino I The Box in the Convent,