Casa Ni | CA-SA studio

Casa NI is conceived as a quietly radical exercise in contemporary minimalism, where mass, material, and landscape merge into a single, restrained architectural gesture.

On arrival, the home appears as a closed, monolithic volume: an elemental block anchored to the land. Its solidity is intentionally deceptive: beyond the muted exterior, the interior unfolds around a sequence of verdant courtyards, where vegetation counterbalances the dense materiality and large glazed openings dissolve the threshold with the surrounding countryside. Although deeply rooted in local craftsmanship and material culture, the project avoids literal or didactic expressions.

Interior and exterior plasters are composed of tuff sand sourced on site and natural lime, tinted with mineral oxides that create a dense, tactile surface and subtly echo the earthy tones of the Apulian landscape. Their rough yet refined appearance lends aesthetic depth, while the natural composition enhances breathability and insulation, evolving over time as the surfaces respond organically to weather and light. Large stones are used throughout, both as architectural and decorative elements.

The spatial composition is organized as a dual parallel volume, with generous room sizes unfolding along a layout connected by a fully glazed corridor. Floors form a continuous terrazzo surface, hand-crafted from locally sourced quarry stone mixed with marble chips and fragments of cocciopesto. The result is a warm, tactile material that recalls the color and texture of local earth and stone. The atmosphere softens and refines the exterior’s austerity, with large glazed openings facing intimate gardens planted predominantly with native species.

Minimal, Japanese-inspired furnishings and brushed-steel elements in lighting and selected furniture pieces introduce a precise, contemporary character. Materiality becomes sculptural in the kitchen, where a monolithic concrete island anchors the domestic space. Hand-made clay tiles by Fornace Brioni add a subtle, textured decorative note. A conversation pit occupies the living area, with seating positioned at the same level as the glazing, allowing the gaze to extend uninterrupted toward the landscape as it descends gently into a natural hollow. Cushions, loungers, and curtains in raw natural linen complete both the interior and exterior palette with unprocessed, tactile textures.. Wardrobes are concealed in dedicated spaces, preserving the sleeping areas as essential, uncluttered zones free from visual distractionsIn the bedrooms area, carved marble basins introduce a sense of crafted solidity, contrasting with the lightness of low, oriental-inspired beds.

Outside, the pool acts as a focal point and extends seamlessly into the landscape. It is finished in dry stone using reclaimed rocks salvaged from a demolished historic wall, its darker, unpolished tones blending naturally with the surrounding terrain. A deep portico links the kitchen to the outdoor living areas, enabling an effortless transition between inside and out, with stone seating areas and shaded relaxation zones framing the pool. Pigmented polished concrete flooring continues from the porch into the outdoor spaces, gradually fading into the natural color of the soil.

The home is enriched by a curated selection of objects and artworks from Africa and Asia, contemporary photography, and clay and terracotta vessels: some locally sourced, others collected during travels; elements that lend cultural depth and resonance, grounding the minimalist architecture in a layered, lived-in aesthetic.