PALAZZO SAN VITO
Valari worked on the renovation of a historic building in the center of Lequile, near Lecce, transforming it into a holiday home.
A place that fulfills the client’s desire to experience otium—a state of timeless tranquility.
The architects supported the client from the very beginning, even in the search for a property that could embody the Greek concept of Eudaimonia—“a well-being not only physical, but mental, a kind of state of grace,” as explained by the owner, Fabio Moro.
After numerous visits, the choice fell on this modestly façaded building, abandoned for many years, with courtyard spaces, a sequence of rooms overlooking an overgrown back garden with an ancient orange grove and century-old trees, and a staircase leading to a large terrace with a view of the dome of Palazzo San Vito.
“It was hard to imagine what this building could become. A layer of dust concealed the floors, which only later revealed the beauty of the original poured terrazzo and two stunning mosaic medallions.
The Palazzo in Lequile eventually proved to be perfect for the vision we had: almost 300 square meters of indoor space and 700 square meters of gardens and courtyards—ideal for accommodating four ensuite rooms, communal areas, and a variety of outdoor spaces.
What truly captivated us was the atmosphere: a blend of luxury and homeliness, enriched by historical accents and lush greenery,” explain Nicolò Lewanski and Federica Russo of Valari.
THE RENOVATION
The Palazzo San Vito project involved a gentle rehabilitation of the original spaces to create a guest house featuring four bedrooms with private bathrooms and several indoor and outdoor communal areas.
“Working on this kind of architecture meant respecting historical constraints, such as the sequence of rooms and the majestic star-vaulted ceilings, which we embraced as design stimuli and elevated to central elements of the new contemporary spaces,” says Valari.
From the main courtyard with handmade Umbrian terracotta flooring, one moves through a succession of indoor and outdoor spaces, arriving at the first salon with decorated terrazzo flooring.
“In buildings like this, living rooms were significant. Social codes dictated formal entrances, conversation rooms, and domestic areas. We chose to preserve this distinction in our design; in fact, the varied interactions and opportunities for encounter guided the layout of the new shared spaces.”
At the heart of the project is the dining room, conceived as a communal area at the crossroads of shared spaces. It is the lively center of the house’s social life, centered around a large custom-made table by Valari in wood and steel, in dialogue with the tactile quality of the original stone walls.
The kitchen, pantry, and bar open through large windows onto the garden and feature sculptural custom-made steel furnishings.
“These three areas were designed as a unified whole, each with its own vaulted ceiling and view of the greenery, yet visually and materially connected through the interplay of custom steel and wood elements.”
In what was likely a family chapel, the Garden Room was created. Beneath the star vault and next to a historic stone arch, the floor was excavated to host gravel, a large stone, lush vegetation, and cushions.
“A retreat for hot summer afternoons, when even the garden’s shade isn't enough—an oasis of cool and calm within the palazzo’s walls, or an indoor garden for rainy days,” explain the architects.
The bedrooms were designed as sanctuaries of rest and intimacy. Room, bathroom, and private outdoor space blend into a fluid layout with essential furnishings in warm, neutral tones—creating peaceful refuges.
“In this project, the relationship between inside and outside contrasts with pure functionalism—like the Garden Room, which brings greenery inside the palazzo walls. Similarly, the master bedroom’s private patio becomes an informal open-air bathroom, featuring a bathtub carved into the floor and an arched brass shower—choices we believed would enhance the essence of this rich historic architecture,” the architects explain.
OUTDOOR SPACES
In addition to the two main courtyards, other outdoor areas include a terrace overlooking the dome of the Church of San Vito and a rear garden courtyard.
The terrace is conceived as a minimalist outdoor lounge, with built-in benches and soft floor lighting.
The garden is lush and vibrant, welcoming guests around the pool beneath an ancient eucalyptus, a privet tree, and a timeworn orange grove that frames the spacious exterior.
MATERIALS
With the intention of celebrating the original materiality of the palazzo while preserving and complementing it with new additions, the project invites guests to experience the dialogue between past and present, both visually and through touch.
Inside, historic materials of great value were restored—decorated terrazzo floors depicting flora and fauna, tricolored cement tiles in the master bedroom, and carved stone friezes on ceilings and arches—paired with materials crafted by local artisans using ancient techniques, such as in-situ terrazzo, monochrome cement tiles, and bespoke sinks in concrete and travertine. Contemporary materials like steel for windows and furniture, brass fixtures, and oak wood were also introduced. Both the original and new materials share a purity and natural quality, echoing the tones and textures of the region.
The home’s welcoming atmosphere is further enhanced by its furnishings and textiles: velvet sofas, linen curtains, cotton sheets and blankets, and many custom-made cushions.
All bathrooms feature terrazzo or cement tile floors and custom sinks in concrete or travertine, with brass fittings. Notable elements include a shower tucked under an arched vault and a terracotta-toned monumental bathtub.
Palazzo San Vito is a reinterpretation of traditional architecture as a place of hospitality, rooted in the ethos of quiet luxury, with a neutral color palette and particular attention to materials and furnishings—highlighting the essence of Valari’s design.
