Masseria Belvedere Holiday Residence in Puglia by Valari.

A centuries-old olive garden, sweeping vistas of the Adriatic coast, a hectare-and-a-half of land that unfolds unto the horizon—Masseria Belvedere looks as much a part of the landscape as the sky and the sea that ensconce it. And not without reason.

When architects Nicolò Lewanski and Federica Russo—co-founders at London-based architecture firm Valari—first set sight on the Puglia property, it wasn’t much more than a stone ruin jutting out of a rockface. “It was this strong character that set the framework for the contemporary restoration,” say the pair.

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In this particular case, the restoration was much more than a restoration. It was an endeavour to turn the jilted property into an appealing and contemporary sanctuary for large families and group retreats—a tall order for something that had been left dilapidated for decades.

When it came to crafting the interior—or even the exterior for that matter—Nicolò and Federica took cues from the original construction. The two-level interior volume was divided into 8 double bedrooms. The ground floor was overhauled to host the ‘day area’—a twin-level realm fashioned into the overarching rock slope—containing the kitchen, dining room and sitting room, as well as the yoga room and games room.

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It’s a wonderful feeling when you encounter harmony between Mother Nature and the built environment. When architecture not only contemplates nature but intimately engages with it as a pivotal element of design.

At Masseria Belvedere, the indoors and outdoors, nature and built form, ebb and flow like the sea and the shoreline. Outside, the infinity pool runs parallel to the day area, disappearing into the sea at a point unknown. Next to it, a solarium, a fireplace, an outdoor kitchen and a second dining and sitting area serve as an al fresco gathering spot for warm evenings. Likewise, on the first floor, a jacuzzi takes pride of place on the terrace, promising a welcome round of relaxation under the stars.

“The idea behind Masseria Belvedere was guided by the desire to welcome guests to spaces with infinite possibilities,” say Nicolò and Federica. “Designing for us means creating spaces that did not previously exist, opening up views that were previously obstructed, and revealing places that were previously inaccessible. I think we’ve achieved that with Masseria Belvedere.”

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[Images courtesy of Valari. Photography by Lorenzo Zandri.]