Spent 5 years fixing old house-barn by hand. It was worth it

When Enrico Gri discovered the wild Orco Valley during a ski mountaineering trip, he fell in love with the idea of moving from the city (nearby Turin) to the mountains. After buying an affordable, run-down stable he found online, he began turning the bramble-filled structure into something livable. His partner Paola restores paintings and buildings for a living, and wanted to leave as much as possible of the old structure, so he worked with architects Studioata to design a wooden structure that would fit inside the old stable, like a “house within a house”, providing a second floor bedroom and bathroom, as well as plenty of insulation.
Wanting to build as much as possible on his own, Enrico hired "Guiseppe” from the local, mostly abandoned, hamlet to help him recreate the dry-stack stone walls (creating stacking stone on stone, without the use of mortar). He spent the remainder of the five years it took him to finish the home building everything by hand: furniture (including a kitchen table that transforms into a guest bed), cabinets, and a new dugout cellar with dry-stack walls created to protect the rest of the home from humidity.
The first floor is a kitchen set within the original stone vault. Wanting to preserve the mangers as areas for eating, Enrico created a table and benches on one side of the room and a wall-to-wall countertop kitchen on the other. The old hayloft has been converted into a second floor bedroom and bathroom with a new set of stairs connecting the two floors. Every detail has been attended to by Enrico and Paola, including preserving an old chestnut-wood door with wooden hinges and preserving the apertures of the old windows, using chestnut paneling to frame the windows from the inside, but simultaneously preserving the old stone look on the outside.
www.studioata.com/portfolio/l...
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[@MartijnDoolaard]

Beautiful! Such a good marriage between old and new. I should pay them a visit, they're not so far from where I am.

[@swingnigloo]

@@Pilot333 that's what I was thinking!

[@peterbourquin6546]

While seeing this, It actually remembered me at your cabin... I was thinking that it could be an inspiration for you. And now I see your comment...

[@henrietta9206]

dont stalk! always get permission first.

[@joamarks]

so you are surrounded by nice people! i also found johannes the priest video. very inspirational. it sounds like, you pioneers found a mountain to experience peace and nature in a humble way

[@AsteriETERNAL]

Awesome 👌🏼 You found them!☺ Can't wait to see how your project progresses!😉

[@janel4582]

I loved the way he described the water seeping in, looking around, and then leaving. Really in sync with the nature surrounding him.

[@MAM-cy3yy]

Enrico has a beautiful vision and energy for living. Compliments to his lady as well. Simple living with love will keep you happy.

[@yugeenlighroff430]

I noticed that too. He is a special guy. He has goodness in him. Gentle, meaning way of life. Good luck to all.

[@AndyJayLark]

This is one of only two channels where I can hit "like" already before ive even seen the actual video.

[@frenchfan1278]

What a great retreat from crazy modern life. So peaceful, warm, comfortable and cozy. Beautiful, simply beautiful. Bravo!!!

[@zukzworld]

Bloody hell! Living in isolation is one thing, but walking up with groceries, … You are a very brave person, hats off! ❤✌🏾

[@micheledavis3735]

I would be sitting on the grass, crying. Such beauty takes my breath and to think of those who came before and their journeys really moves me. It's such profound beauty that has persevered and can be enjoyed...nay, revered by mere mortals forever. To have touched that close to God...it does not get better. I could happily live here forever. Thank you so much for this blissful video. I'm amazed that it touches my heart, thusly. 🙏🕊💗

[@alskjflaksjdflakjdf]

In addition to your filming and editing, which is awesome, I love how so many of the people you visit invite you in with open arms and hospitality. For a short period of time I get to share in their warmth, hospitality and experience through the lense of your camera. Thank you for putting yourself out there and being willing to accept their hospitality.

[@creativeshorts7707]

Thanks Kirsten for taking us on adventure, showing these places! You are great at what you do!

[@andrewh3730]

This is beautiful I love how the original was kept and the new was incorporated into the old. Makes it a great house with character and strength.

[@Mystaries]

Absolutely loved this. Charming, clever man & partner. Love how he created a cosy home, hardly disturbing the original. Love how he did the windows. What a find Kirsten, thanks.

[@betsyolsson-mackowski7682]

Agreed! These are some brilliant folks! I love how the partner preserved, honors, and treasures the ancient doors off of the bedroom. What it must feel like to be in a space so old and also so intentionally updated must be magical.

[@wendywalsh-pardey9439]

The regular stone size on the roof is beautiful. Like fish scales. Nice Tatami mats. A Japanese simplicity. Such sensitivity

[@gerry343]

Enrico and Paula have made a beautiful home. So much thought went into a sympathetic conversion and everything has been done to the highest standard. They are justly proud.

[@robenglish416]

Cheese, nice bread and local pro secco = party! Italians know how to live the good life! And what a beautiful house, the box in box is actually brilliant, solves a lot of problems.

[@TheKeystoneChannel]

Italy has so many beautiful places to restore. I lived there for 8 years and I'm happy to see people being passionate about restoring buildings again

[@ashrafnoorwala8470]

People generally are not very creative to think beyond their daily basic routines. Only a few are blessed with vision, imagination and the drive to achieve what their hearts want and minds plan. They then become inspirations and trail blazers for others. You always need a prince to come by and kiss sleeping beauty to awaken from a century's sleep of ignorance.

[@NotAnAngryLesbian]

Spoken Italian is so passionate. Directness, intensity, warmth, love, caring all present. But never indifference. 😀

[@racebanning6390]

ONE OF THE KOOLEST PLACES FORM A OLD STONE BUILDING.. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!!

[@Noukz37]

Crazy how I just realized that in Bosnia we also call small huts Bajta (Baita), stables Štala (Stalla) and chestnuts Kestenje (castagna) XD

[@conrad13579]

What a tour. A house within a house. The most amazing thing about restorations and constructions has got to be the wonderful people behind them. "Dont touch Anything" Lol. The Stones roofs are an art too!

[@JohnKruse]

Right outside of Gran Paradizo National Park too. Che bello. I wondered what took 5 years, and then when they showed the excavation and the dry stacked wall. Yikes, what a project. When I first started going to Piemonte 15 years ago, there were little stables like this in the center of the town where we go. There were often animals still kept in them. Now, they've all been renovated as weekend ski getaways. Fortunately, the locals are pretty serious about keeping the character intact. You have to admire the work ethic of mountain people!

[@henrietta9206]

thank you, Kisten, thank you, Enrico ❤!!!

[@iteerrex8166]

He was like in the old days people made their own things. Yes but they didn’t do master carpentry, starting as a novice. Bravo!!!

[@Mankan569]

This house is absolutely the nicest most beautiful I have seen! and so well thought out. And to leave the house on the outside untouched so that it retains its soul.🇸🇪

[@maditawinter4777]

Admirable!! The new is respecting the old. Love it!

[@WarrenRCG]

The best part was when he was asked if he had any building experience and he pulled up his sleeves 🤘🥳 Was anyone else thinking about the walk back down in the dark? 😬

[@risasb]

Really envying that stove ...

[@tomstopper5281]

Thank you for bringing us this gem.

[@huseyinmehmetaltun2046]

this is the almost the best house on your channel that you showed us

[@Jettguzman]

Wow, you did it again Kristen; thank you so much for taking us to this wonderfully built home, simply fabulous!

[@nathan1459]

I love Paola’s ‘don’t touch anything’ mantra. Great vision and determination to get that realised.

[@hortenseclarke2589]

Great! For someone with no experience in building a home, he did well. Beautiful scenery and location!

[@kristimcgowandarkoscellard3126]

This home is spectacular!! The old castles and stone houses in places like Scotland, Ireland and even in England were built using stone like this, but when you go inside they have covered the walls and ceiling with Sheetrock 😱🤮 These stone walls have made it for hundreds even thousands of years, why in the world would anyone cover them up!!! I absolutely love how they made even wood of the shelves and cabinets follow the outline of the stone!! Simply beautiful!!! Cheers

[@peadaroloughlin3270]

I hear you and would love to agree but.. there is a different climate in those temperate North Eastern Atlantic Islands. Even in fair weather the humidity will be much higher than Continental and Alpine regions. Sometimes rain hits buildings at an angle of 20 degrees (almost horizontal) when it is propelled by Force 6 -11 storms which can drive it deep into crevices and openings in a porous wall. Unlike in Enrico and Paula's situation Atlantic water usually outstays its welcome when it enters a building! I'll finish with this interesting note... researchers are finding more evidence that castles and towers had various coats of a lime render.

[@kristimcgowandarkoscellard3126]

@@peadaroloughlin3270 I didn’t know that about the rain! I’m in the Deep South of the U.S. so I get bad storms! Even so, I would never put sheet rock over those walls! I know about the Lyme render, that I can understand. It protects the stone and and can be quite beautiful, but you can still tell it’s stone. But that is just my style, to each his own in this crazy world 😜 Cheers

[@MrRebar15]

*Kirsten Dirksen* Bravo well done, thank-you for taking the time to show us. God Bless.

[@chestermicek]

This is a beautiful restoration and a beautiful love-story. Beautiful.

[@AlexAlex-gj4jd]

Amazing work by Enrico! I love the fact that the window openings are the same, but he built a bigger window box behind them to add more light. Genius. What a perfect house. Except here's the washing machine? I would image it was there and just not shown! Thanks Kirsten and family for another fantastic house tour.

[@donacatanguma]

I believe there’s a washing machine in the basement storage area where the wine is around 19:11 or 19:12 in the left hand corner. It looks like a front loading machine but obviously it could be something unrelated. Amazing work throughout.

[@aleksanderkac7530]

@@donacatanguma Yep, it's a front loader in th corner. What is puzzling me, why are ther two, not one, domestic hot water heaters? The two white wall hung boxes on the left wall, an older and a newer model, made by Ariston. One is generally enough for a family, because these are already smart water heaters, even the older model. The one far left is an Ariston velis evo, and the one by the door is the Ariston velis premium. Even one is expensive, so this is really puzzling.

[@margarettan6138]

L

[@factsoverfiction7826]

@@aleksanderkac7530 The outdoor claw-foot tub is a watering spot for animals. Perhaps warm water is sent there daily in the winter so the animals can drink.

[@magdalenavelazquez8730]

Fantastic content! The homeowners are admirable, they kept the original spirit and framework of the home while making it livable by modern standards. Very interesting. Well done.

[@michaeljaysonbanua4870]

Beautiful home. This is perfect to be featured in a magazine.

[@josephhuth3714]

Kirsten, you take me on the most incredible journeys with your filmmaking. How lucky I feel. Your ability to capture the spirit of a place is remarkable. Thank you for all you do.

[@ryanmundt9628]

What a great, well-thought-out home. Btw, I love that you always travel as a family. Those kids of yours are gonna be a wealth of knowledge and experience!

[@kalleroseworld1919]

hard to keep up friendships tho which is very important for kids

[@PBunsee]

We have watched the children grow up over the years. They were little babies when they did the camper van travels.

[@dustygreene3335]

Italians Crack me up sometimes 🤣...so romantic.....2 weeks to decide the way the wood was placed so that it felt like two hands holding. 😄

[@rockadon1977]

Just stunning. The old building was built to last and the new makes it more permanent and modern.. Those roofs are unreal along with the stonework. Old municipalities like that would probably still function with a few cows, sheep, chickens, Gardens and people who want to return to that lifestyle. along with a bit of modern tech and Solar I would certainly be content to work that hard to live

[@kendallofarrell910]

The video style reflects the ideas depicted in the films. I love how a lot of these end up being little dinner parties. Your kids have it good. Never stop making these!

[@nunoaquiles81]

Loved what they did with the house. It is beyond beautiful

[@vyvienvp3413]

Beautiful. A labour of love. Great ideas for exploring the natural shape of the stone. Excellent motto: "Don't touch ANYTHING"! Bravo, bravissimo X:)

[@whisperingeaglelanders2339]

It's so wonderful that they kept the old parts of the home😃 This is beautiful!

[@davidsaxby5400]

What a lovely warm home full of great ideas and humanity. I really like your style of video presenting. The relaxed process that seems so natural and unscripted allows us to see the property and it’s owners in as natural light as possible with no hidden agenda. Everyone appears relaxed, comfortable and happy. Thank you for your work.

[@nathan1459]

This is absolutely beautiful. Window framing, using the envelope as a thermal buffer, the cellar, the setting, the preservation. Makes me want to move there now. Congratulations to the pair of them.

[@cuttlefish76]

Love the part about water flowing in the cellar.

[@adrianod.4076]

I have a similar home on Adamello mountain (Alps) on 2000 meters and I worked 13 years to restore it and make it completely off-grid. I confirm that everything is much more difficult because there is no road and everything is transported by backpack or even by helicopter and we had to fight against a lot of rules to save the structure. I can work for only 3-4 months per year because starting form October to March, house is fully covered by snow (not this year). Congratulation for your job.

[@franpie2264]

Wonderful. Enrico and Paola created a beautiful place to live in. Bravissimi ❤❤

[@luiscuixara4622]

The spirits of the original builders and craftspersons smile approvingly at this work. Congrats to Enrico and Paola for respecting them at every turn and detail (extra to Paola for her gentle insistence..). And how serendipitous to have a knowledgeable mason so nearby. Kirsten: did they know approximately when the original structure was first built?

[@marthareyes4024]

This was super cool to watch. Love it each time he would say of his partner, she says "NOT TO TOUCH IT!" She right you know. So what do people do, come along and touch it. Even in the filming of this...LOL She should of been walking behind everyone with a fly swatter, just for the reminder!

[@kristiecox7350]

Oh my goodness, I love it. My dream I tell ya! 😊❤️

[@italianlifestyle7911]

What a picturesque place! 💚

[@suewarman9287]

This is one of the best I've seen of your videos!

[@Quantum36911]

What a stunning interior! The mix of modern design while keeping as much of the original structure as possible. Belissimo! The translator is excellent! I was shocked when Enrico said he had no previous experience as a carpenter... makes me think he must have done it in a past life! His partner's vision and expertise are exquisite!

[@neelsviljoen1383]

What a beautiful family and home, so deserving of one another. Thank you for sharing this house with us, inspiring to the bone.

[@jopalolive]

That baita is a masterpiece of craftmanship ! Would be interesting to see more of how they did the internal home, how the stone roof is built and how they covered the cellar. The extension is key and will definitely preserve the structure and make it habitable. The internal wood structure with the air gap is clever, it will pass all the interior vapor outwards. Explains why they left the exterior windows open.

[@Sagittarius-A-Star]

Cool - I like the fact that everybody seems to understand each other just by experience of other languages.

[@annapetrosian6696]

Your channel is great lesson for humanity

[@leviorourke7498]

Being a proud craftsman of building roofs and exterior structures. These houses on your channel wow me and my daughter. I’d love to see an learn about these older building practices

[@peadaroloughlin3270]

Look up Associazione Canova in Northern Italy. They run courses and Summer schools on restoration.

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

Beautiful! I love the wood, it makes a stone building seem so warm and inviting 🐝🤗❤️

[@fredsimmons2793]

Enrico and family set a notable standard to go by in building a life, and are highly inspirational! As is Kirsten!

[@swingnigloo]

Very inspiring. Thank you. I love seeing your kids growing from seasons to seasons.

[@lancedaniels]

Thanks for posting and sharing. Remarkable to see how the integrity of the existing structure was preserved. The roof is so beautiful from above.

[@Mankan569]

Questa casa è in assoluto la più bella più bella che abbia mai visto! e così ben pensato. E lasciare la casa all'esterno intatta in modo che conservi la sua anima.🇸🇪

[@mg5635]

Completely stunning. Perfectly done. Congratulations. Happy for you. From USA.

[@betsyolsson-mackowski7682]

Gorgeous! Everything is so thoughtful. To achieve a minimal feeling, they spent the time and labor on editing and editing and editing. It helps that the homeowners had such a clear vision and knew exactly what they wanted. The preservation of the ancient building with the cozy envelope of the new structure inside is beautiful and mind blowing.

[@42apprentice]

Stunning, what an incredible environmental & design aesthetic this couple have. Brava!

[@JRileyStewart]

This is an amazing channel... one of my most favored. Thank you!

[@koehlmann]

the guy had no experience before, WOW and look how much detail and care went into everything. amazing amazing.

[@dr.philipfretwellarchitect5672]

Marvelous Handiwork

[@valeriocugia3956]

Beautiful video, thanks Kirsten. There is a mistake in the written translation though. When he speaks of the insulation, he says they used "vetro cellulare" which is cellular glass. The written translation instead says cellulose. Cellulose is evidently not the type of material you want to use under your floor or against the earth.

[@santiagofernandez3215]

Vetro cellulare is recycled foamed glass insulation

[@factsoverfiction7826]

Thank you for correcting!

[@PutUrCansUpSPTVWantsU]

I continue to be awed by the people and structures you find to share with us...yet another BEAUTIFUL home brought to life by someone who obviously had the passion and the good instincts to leave things alone...striking the perfect balance of old and new...my grand daughter is in envy of your kids Kirsten...LOL...the education and life experience they are being blessed with it indeed going to shape them in ways many of us can only dream of...thank you for such a lovely experience.

[@shaunhall6834]

Love your channel! I'm glad you show us how people live their lives in unique homes.

[@moretea8314]

Top quality work from someone is clearly very skilled. Love the use of new chestnut mated to original chestnut and the roof tiling, the way the stone is cut and set out, graduating out from small to large tiles, beautiful! Top work! Thank you Kirsten and team. Kind regards, Simon (UK).

[@zoranpavlovski1352]

The roof is beautiful!

[@laverite1050]

This was mesmerizing. What an amazing mountain home.

[@dixiechicken2643]

This guy is very talented, considering he never did this kind of work before. He's paid such attention to detail and he's been so creative with the way he's worked with the wood. Speaking of wood, I'm not sure if I've seen alot of chestnut, but it is stunning and they should both be so proud. You gotta love somebody who says 'the water comes in, visits for a while, then leaves,' loved that.

[@williamkimmel6487]

Absolutely gorgeous 😍 I really love the table to bed idea. The roof and interior is beautiful. Bellissimo Grazie Kim Georgia USA 🇺🇸 ❤

[@joffrey.ph_]

Another place like heaven on earth. ❤❤❤ I have been a fan of your contents. I'm watching you from the Philippines.

[@Kofi.86]

Beautiful place I love these historic builds that honour what was there before and it's still liveable great work 👍🏿

[@imari2305]

All I can say is wow! Absolutely wow!!

[@chronicpainfighter5587]

The view from every angle is amazing, I can see why he didn't want to return to the city! A talented and very content man! Absolutely beautiful, Some rich fools gaudy fake gold and smoke and mirrors are garbage compared to this! STUNNING INSIDE! WOW!!!!~

[@billastell3753]

If I had another life I'd do the same. Lovely.

[@Angus1million]

Bless you Paola. This reminds me of a lot of the ideas presented in this wonderful book called Old Buildings, New Designs. Recommended!

[@amherst88]

So, so beautiful, inside and out & the builder/occupants as well ❤️ Thank you as always for taking us on these magnificent journeys with you.

[@kathe.o.]

Magnificent. I don't know the language, yet with the interupiter help I followed the explanation. Magnifico! The simplicity of the plan. He did an excellent job of creating a new/old home.

[@dustygreene3335]

What a work of stone art.....and think to the original people who built it it was just a barn.

[@shirleygraham6229]

What a 'great ideas' woman and a very clever man. Good mix, fabulous result.

[@jeanettenaumiec7784]

A fine work of art., sublime. The thoughtfulness and care that went into the collaboration of this labor of love shows how we can have beauty, function and locally sourced materials to create a home that can last more than a generation or two. Love everything about it, from the clean lines to the beautiful wood stoves. Thanks for another wonderful video.

[@stopato5772]

Wow. Wow. Wow. This is clever and elegant solution to a very hard task to rebuild in an isolated location.

[@starlight_44]

This is a beautiful conversion u filmed, loved how the owner Enrico and his wife left that stone ceiling,also he did it for 5 yrs with no experience, inspirational.👍🥰

[@muhibuddinsoekarno1533]

This house and the ideas to preserve their original shape are so amazing

[@ponyrang]

Wow... !!! My best friend, Great... Awesome... Full watched. Thanks Have a happy day!

[@seyyedamirir4977]

The very bright view of Paola and the acceptance of Enrico and his hardwork created a masterpiece.

[@Rimrock300]

Such an interesting video) The nature, the hut, the language. Italian is cool)

[@colleenrodamer9497]

Oh my GOD air is AWESOME I’m with the owners don’t touch it way to BEAUITFUL❤

[@-Anjel]

Can't even begin to imagine the heating cost. Insulation only in few places... The amount of wood they have to haul inside....

[@cletushatfield8817]

Wood appears to primary cooking source (3 fires/day), heat (from same fires), and ambiance (not possible from TV or other electronic devices). This is simply value, not an expense.

[@peadaroloughlin3270]

Rewatch it at a slower 0.75 speed. The living quarters are fully insulated.

[@SantieAmery]

Thank for always, somehow, finding the most creative dwellings and interesting people! I love to watch your video's...it is such an inspiration! Blessings from South Africa!