Palazzo degli Abati

A restoration project that returns value to history through a measured and respectful intervention.

Palazzo degli Abati is a restoration and adaptive reuse project located in the heart of the Sassi districts of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Dating back to 1756, the building originally served as the residence of the Chapter of the adjacent rock-hewn Church of San Pietro Barisano.
The project stems from the desire to preserve the palace’s historical identity, restoring its original character without altering its balance.

The intervention takes the form of a conscious recovery process, where time is not erased but deliberately left visible.

To preserve, not reinterpret

The project is based on a clear principle:
to intervene without overlapping.

Every design decision is guided by respect for the existing structure, maintaining:

• decorated vaults
• original terracotta flooring
• the material traces of time

New elements are introduced discreetly, engaging in dialogue with the historic fabric without mimicry.

Spaces have been reconsidered to meet contemporary hospitality needs without compromising the building’s historical legibility.

The internal layout enhances:

• the sequence of rooms
• the original proportions
• the relationship between solids and voids

Each environment retains its own identity, contributing to an authentic and measured spatial experience.

The project prioritizes materials consistent with local construction traditions:

• restored original terracotta floors
• lime-based plasters
• surfaces intentionally left imperfect

Contemporary elements are reduced to the essential, carefully selected so as not to compete with the historic materiality.

Both natural and artificial light are used to:

• emphasize the vaults
• restore spatial depth
• guide the perception of space

Lighting remains discreet and never invasive, designed to enhance the architecture without turning it into spectacle.