CSR House is a noble residence located in the historic center of Ragusa, spanning four distinct levels: ground floor, mezzanine, piano nobile, and attic.
Originally built in the early 19th century by a prominent local family, the building underwent numerous subdivisions over time, transforming it into a complex puzzle of separate properties.
Consequently, the original layout was severely compromised in terms of both spatial cohesion and circulation.
The redesign aims to regenerate the spaces and reorganize horizontal and vertical circulation, while respecting the historic and typological character of the building.
The core design strategy involved inserting a new vertical connection within the corridor, linking the mezzanine level all the way to the attic. At the heart of the project is a new, lightweight staircase that generates new distribution paths and divides spaces, creating fresh spatial qualities while preserving the traditional enfilade of rooms typical of 19th-century architecture.
Crafted from galvanized iron with perforated sheet metal steps, the staircase allows natural light to filter down through a 14 meter vertical void, from the roof skylight all the way to the game room in the mezzanine, creating a striking contrast with the weight of the solid masonry walls.
Special attention was dedicated to salvaging existing materials. Many original elements, such as wooden doors and window frames, pitch stone slabs and steps, majolica tiles, and stamped cement tiles, were carefully removed, cataloged, and reassembled with a contemporary twist.
Most rooms feature a custom pattern combining salvaged decorative tiles mixed in strips with new monochromatic tiles; the remaining spaces are paved with local stone slabs (pietra pece) laid in a running bond pattern.
Custom-designed fixed furniture made of lacquered wood seamlessly addresses modern living needs, accommodating all contemporary functions not originally envisioned in a historic structure. Finally, a dedicated wine cellar capable of housing over a thousand bottles was designed in the ground floor vaulted rooms.
