Grampa23: The eco-friendly 16th-century barn

An ancient barn from 1551, an expression of the rural tradition of upper Valsesia, is transformed into a low-emission building, heated only in a renewable, environmentally friendly way. Larch wood and quarry stone give voice to tradition and blend with innovative, natural and eco-sustainable materials, thanks to the most modern construction practices that harmonize the old and the new: a new concept of housing designed for people while respecting local architecture and the environment. The space Region code 002078-CIM-00001 The living space: The simple suite, Grampa23, takes shape by revitalizing the first floor of the rural building originally intended for residential use by the farming family with a conservative, eco-sustainable approach and minimizing emissions. Why choose Grampa23? The transformation process of the old barn (the Residence) crowns our family's dream of creating and conducting a new hospitality, sustainable, conscious and with low emissions, in which the guest is the actor who WANTS TO EXPERIENCE as a PROTAGONIST a modern space with an ancient charm. The building is rationally redesigned and can thus relive a second youth by capitalizing on its historical origin: the ancient structure has been enhanced without tearing anything down and has not been rebuilt; it has simply evolved and maintains the charm of the ancient, the stillness and solidity of 450+ years. The renovated house also preserves the small imperfections typical of the craftsmanship of the original era, which in fact make it a unique product, preserving its personality from the past to deliver its testimony of cultural and sociological identity to the future. The building evolves inspired by the utmost respect for the environment and natural resources, and the new technological solutions adopted promote the structure towards a sustainable and 'carbon neutral' future. With the restoration of the building, we wanted to maintain the original use of the first floor of the Residence, hoping that, thanks to the new rational design, it can continue its task of aggregation and refuge and improve the quality of life of those who consciously choose to live it with a timely attention to respect for the environment. To further safeguard the result and guarantee guests, the renovation was carried out in compliance with a reference protocol in the field of energy efficiency and eco-sustainability: an independent third party then verifies the faithful compliance with the commitment. The ultimate goal of the work is the creation of a space in an ancient structure that allows for living well, revised on the basis of new functional needs: whether for a sports vacation, remote working or even, more simply, to disconnect and recharge by sharing playful moments. Perhaps sipping a glass chosen from the wines that excite us with Nebbiolo grapes, 'Coste del Sesia' or 'Bramaterra' expression of the territory, or 'Falanghina' and 'Greco', for a real virtual journey through the Italian regions among the bottles available in the cellar of the House. If you still have time and desire and are interested in learning more about the characteristics of the place, below you will find some details that can guide you in discovering the property and the area that hosts it (6 min read): - the concept of a Residence - Renewal and new life - E-bike & discovering the area through sustainable mobility - Certifications - The awards - The origin of the historic building - A response to climate change - The exclusive space dedicated to guests - The furnishings The concept of a Dimora: The building was originally created as an integrated part of a system, called Dimora, a multifunctional structure that embraces the articulated set of daily activities of rural culture: from providing shelter and protection to the family and animals, to the productive ones of work, leisure and rest following the rhythm marked by the succession of the seasons. The Dimora characterizes the quality of life of the inhabitants who live, being an integral part of the system. Renewal and new life: The spaces of Grampa23 have been designed to enhance the simple rural origin of the building without distorting it, giving it a new life, maintaining the reading of the structural and constructive elements typical of the tradition and clearly stating the new interventions carried out in harmony with the architectural context. The well-being and comfort of our guest friends is ensured through a careful and conscious study of materials: from the triple-glazed windows in larch wood, the eco-larch beams that owe their color solely to a steaming process, the automatic air exchange system, without forgetting the low-temperature underfloor heating and the faucets, produced locally and with a 'green' footprint (water-saving and conscious use of hot water). The choice of new materials promotes energy performance: recyclable, of natural origin and possibly produced with 'green' processes, possibly locally to minimize the carbon footprint of both the construction process and transport. E-bike & discovering the area in sustainable mobility: 5 top E-Bikes by Cube are available for guests of Grampa23: during the summer, the ideal means to travel in company - a sustainable tourism cycle to discover hidden corners of nature and relax along the area's bike paths immersed in the woods and 'tangential' to the summer pastures. If you prefer the mountains in winter and are looking for authentic terrain, this valley will give you immense satisfaction. To accompany the cold season, we decided to offer guests, upon request and subject to availability, 'freeride' skis and 'shoes' to savor an almost unexplored side of the territory. Certifications: The commitment to merge the elements of tradition with a new concept of rehabilitation, designed to optimize energy efficiency and environmental eco-sustainability, is guaranteed by an independent certification conducted by a third party. The renovation is characterized by the adoption and respect of a rigorous construction protocol called Casaclima and Casaclima Welcome, among the most advanced and recognized in the field at European level, which guarantees careful and impartial control of compliance with construction constraints and the quality and origin of the materials adopted. Awards: The innovative approach, the first in Valsesia, has also allowed: - to be awarded European funding for the sustainable development of the territory (PSR 2014-2020 initiative) by adopting an exclusively renewable wood biomass heating system from the local supply chain - to be selected as a redevelopment project of excellence and case history for the study commissioned by IEA (International Energy Agency) – 'Task 59 Deep Retrofit of Historic Buildings towards lowest possible energy demand and CO2 emissions'. The origin of the historic building: The building is located in the center of the hamlet, is characterized by a square layout and is divided into 3 floors: the ground floor - partially underground to take advantage of the slope of the land - originally used as a stable for animals. The first floor, which in the first life of the building benefited from the heat coming from the area below, houses the kitchen and the rest rooms for the entire family while the top floor, the largest, originally allowed for drying and storing hay for the animals and food supplies grown nearby (today we would call it a supply chain) to face the long winters, as well as ensuring a minimum of insulation for the floor below. The roof, originally double-pitched, is characterized by a covering with the traditional local 'piode' supported by the original 19th-century larch beam, statically intact, which has been preserved over the centuries and which was therefore largely recovered in the renovation. A response to climate change: In the conscious awareness of the importance of enhancing the Alpine architectural heritage, almost completely destroyed following the progressive abandonment of the villages, the renovation has the ambitious goal of keeping historical memory alive, enhancing the quality of the settlements and the refined 'technology' of the buildings designed for a rational and balanced use of the territory's resources. To combine tradition with new housing needs, while always ensuring the rational use of resources in an environmentally friendly manner, the ultimate goal of the renovation is to create a New Home that maximizes living comfort and minimizes energy consumption: the cleanest energy is, in fact, that which is not consumed! To consciously pursue an eco-sustainable approach, the building's energy needs are fully addressed in a 'carbon neutral' way, using an ancient renewable resource: wood. A modern boiler, selected from the best on the market thanks to its high efficiency, makes the most of the wood biomass generously available in the local wood deposits - by choice collected within 15 km to minimize transport-related emissions - without affecting fossil resources. During the summer season, the energy needs are further supported by solar thermal panels that help heat the water simply by 'capturing' solar energy. The exclusive space dedicated to guests: The first floor of the building houses two independent suites: a larger one with two bedrooms and a second suite with independent access and which can accommodate 2/3 guests. The two suites are adjacent to each other and can be easily connected through a service door: the ideal solution for friends and extended families who want to share moments in common while maintaining their privacy. The furnishings: Our friends will be able to breathe the atmosphere of the old barn, taking advantage of the simple but complete furnishing accessories to recreate a home atmosphere: from latex or down pillows, to goose down duvets from sustainable farms, to porcelain dishes, to glasses suitable for tasting a good glass of wine... The appliances in the house (refrigerator, dishwasher and induction cooktop) meet the most stringent energy efficiency standards and are the natural compendium for those who want to live in a relaxing context without worries. For the further benefit of the environment, the washing machine is connected to the hot water outlet produced in an eco-sustainable way, minimizing the use of electricity. A 'cellar' dedicated to wines allows our friends to taste the quality of the bottles made available, respecting a correct storage temperature. The service, if activated, requires an additional contribution - explained in detail on site. The choice of furnishings was largely guided by the conscious selection of accessories, favoring the concept of 'recycling': also in respect of tradition, peasant civilization does not conceive of waste. The objects found in the house have the opportunity to live a new life, always responding adequately to functional needs and thus promoting the concept of circular economy. For the choice of new furnishings, preference was given to the selection of products built in a sustainable and/or artisanal way, paying attention to the origin of the product and, if possible, enhancing the 'Made in Italy' product and design in order to minimize the carbon impact of transport. For our little friends and for the serenity of mom and dad, upon request with a small contribution, it is possible to have a solid natural wood crib and its high chair. Guest access Guests will have the entire apartment at their disposal with separate access from the old lobby. For a hassle-free vacation, you don't need to think about keys as access is secure and guaranteed via a numerical code keypad. the small green space in front of the building can be used by guests for moments of relaxation. An integral part of the shared spaces is the parking lot, exclusively for guests, located near the free public parking lot where the car can still be parked. From this, you will reach the property on foot in two minutes along the village alleys along the characteristic stone-paved mule tracks. Other things to note The patient conservative restoration work requires further articulated activity that has not yet been completed (construction of a 'hood' in natural material) which, while not compromising safety and living well-being, could give a sense of 'incompleteness' of the restoration works. Registration Details IT002078B4M6K53YIS