The "Case Leopoldine": Dwelling and Transformation in the Tuscan Landscape
Project conceived and developed for the public call "PNRR - M1C3-INV. 2.2 - Awarding of grants for photographic projects on Italian rural architecture and landscape" (2025).
Historical Context Starting in the second half of the 18th century, a heated debate emerged in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany regarding the precarious living conditions of peasants, who were often forced to live in small, unsanitary dwellings, sometimes even in caves and "earthen houses."
Within the framework of these discussions, in 1769 Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo issued a building directive aimed at radically transforming the rural landscape through the construction of modern farmhouses.
The "Case Leopoldine" (Leopoldine Houses) born from this initiative represent the very first example of rural architecture designed by architects specifically for the living and working needs of farmers. This marked the official entry of architectural culture into the productive life of Tuscany's rural population. These buildings possess specific architectural features that make them iconic and recognizable within the local cultural landscape, such as their square layout, open loggias, and the central dovecote tower (torre colombaia).
The Project This project consists of a visual investigation—supported by bibliographic and cartographic research—aimed at understanding the transformations of this building typology over time observing it as a living organism that transforms alongside the changing socio-economic and environmental conditions of its context.
Through photography and research, the project investigates the ongoing dialogue between original structures and modern additions, exploring the spectrum between rural abandonment, spontaneous reuse, and the development of luxury hospitality.
The Landscape The chosen area of focus is the Val di Chiana, adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Val d'Orcia. Following massive hydraulic land reclamation works that transformed the valley from a marshland into the "granary of Tuscany," this territory—along with the lower Valdarno—recorded the highest density of these architectural interventions.
Today, the profound value of this human-shaped landscape is officially recognized and confirmed by its inclusion in the National Register of Historical Rural Landscapes (MiPAAF).
Team
Corinna Del Bianco, Marta Marini
