Our second walk with Agnese Mazzei gives her the opportunity to tell us about her philosophy regarding the restoration of Fonterutoli and her creative ideas originating in the inevitable need to relate with the colours of the territory.

It is not easy for an architect to restore the past while making projections of the future. It is necessary to turn two different languages compatible and interactive to result convincing and shareable.
It is a challenge that requires sensitivity and giving up to some creative freedom. It is necessary to compromise (in its best sense) and weigh up each 'new' idea to make it acceptable to what what was there long time ago and has the right to lead the game.
How did you approach the restoration of the interiors of Fonterutoli which were going to be reserved to the guests?

I would define my work as both classical and contemporary. It is classical because I respect the structure of the building however I do not indulge in details that are allegedly rural.

A lot of work has been done so far. Some apartments are already available: Limonaia, Carpentiere, Glicine Piccolo, Glicine Grande.
Describe your 'standard' room.

I will make an example describing a room facing the porch, where I reinterpreted the proportions between empty and full areas and space distribution. The rooms resulted brighter, yet the original structure was not completely upset. I used wood for the floors and light limestone in the bathroom. The lining of big oval shower tub was processed with lime, similar to the Moroccan tadelakt, which gives a nice effect of brightness. It all results in a chromatic continuity of all elements, including the bedroom, which is dominated by the warm colours of Sienna.

Locanda and Osteria di Fonterutoli, a small corner of sobriety.

The Osteria used to be a hay barn on the crest of a hill looking the village. I wished to keep its identity, an architecture that differed from the buildings of the hamlet, however, I did not want it to be unnaturally rural inside. This is the reason why the furniture is lacquered white (unlike the Provençal style) and look like old -fashioned cupboards. The kitchen can be seen through a high glass door; this is a recurring theme in my architecture, I do enjoy having classical shells and high tech interiors, as I did for the wine cellar of Sassicaia. My work is further exalted outdoor, a lovely space overlooking Siena and falling in love with it. I cannot take any credit on this though.