Case Cantoniere

We had the opportunity to work on a truly exceptional project: we restored three historic roadkeepers’ houses along State Road 51, nestled in the mountains of the Dolomites, to their original charm. Historic buildings located in Peajo in Vodo di Cadore, San Vito di Cadore and Acquabona in Cortina d’Ampezzo, all in areas under protection for their priceless cultural and landscape value.

These houses were once an integral part of the historic Via Regia, a road that connected central Europe to Venice. The houses are built of solid stone and lime with timber-beam ceilings, and we preserved as many original elements as possible, including the larch floors. Another key goal was to safeguard the unique style of these houses, maintaining the characteristic “Pompeian red” colors with white dolomite stone borders and the architectural details that set them apart.

In close collaboration with Anas officials and the Veneto Region’s Superintendence for Archaeological and Architectural Heritage, we chose the least invasive approach possible, adding timber beams or planking. The specific technique we adopted was reinforcement by applying double cross planking, a solution that allowed us to maintain the aesthetic integrity of the buildings while significantly improving their strength.