Heritage and transformation

Dornerhof, a residential project by The New Komma, brings new life to a family farmhouse in Schenna, Italy. Once left vacant for several years, the building—protected under local heritage laws—has been carefully revitalized in collaboration with the conservation authority. The goal was to create two modern homes for two brothers and their families while maintaining the structure’s historic significance.

Light and spaciousness

Removing non-essential components allowed the designers to reimagine the interior layout with an emphasis on openness and natural light. The new residences are composed of generous, bright spaces that retain a strong connection to the past through visible layers of historical materiality. This interplay between old and new is both respectful and forward-looking.

A deep architectural intervention

The farmhouse underwent a complete gutting, stripping away structurally weaker and less historically relevant parts of the building. In contrast, significant architectural features such as the original stone walls and vaulted ceilings were preserved. This careful balance between preservation and modern intervention forms the core of the project’s architectural narrative.

Contextual sensitivity

Set within the Alpine landscape of South Tyrol, the Dornerhof project maintains the original dialogue with its surroundings. Rather than overpowering its context, the transformation enhances it – honouring the farmhouse’s legacy while supporting contemporary rural living for the next generation.

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