CASA CAROSENO with Opus Atelier

Francesca, Giuseppe and Opus Atelier (Maura Pinto and Piervito Pirulli).

OPUS atelier is an architecture and interior design studio founded in 2019 by architects Maura Pinto and Piervito Pirulli, based in Milan.Each project is conceived as a work of art—hence the name OPUS, an atelier where space and material are sculpted to create timeless places, objects, and atmospheres.

The studio works across different scales, from large-scale architecture to product design. The creative process always begins with a study of the genius loci, giving life to projects that tell a unique story through their essential nature.

ABOUT CASA CAROSENO

The project involved the renovation of the existing main structure, the construction of a new annex, and the entire system of paths, landscaping, and pool surrounding the villa’s original tuff stone walls.The main building, initially characterized by an anonymous style that did not reflect the genius loci, was redesigned on all its facades.On the main façade, a portico was introduced—a sort of narthex that welcomes guests and creates a transitional space between indoors and outdoors, typical of Apulian architectural culture.

The main villa consists of a living area accessible from the front portico, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a spacious kitchen.The annex, with its sloped roof referencing the traditional cummerse of the Itria Valley, is designed as a minimal space with a single large room that includes a generous communal dining area. An adjoining wing to the right houses the service areas for cooking, including a kitchen with stone ovens and fireplaces.

Material choices follow a language rooted in the local territory yet remain contemporary. This is expressed through the use of clay-colored plasters and cocciopesto, along with natural materials such as stone and wood for the finishes.Furnishings were selected from vintage design pieces from the era in which the villa was originally built—for example, a Gianfranco Frattini table for Bernini, side tables by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, and a sofa and chairs from the same period, but of Northern European craftsmanship.

The garden, curated by Studio Paz, reflects the passage of the seasons through the expression of typical local tree species. It also features a swimming pool, around which a network of walkways and relaxation areas has been created.