Each wine cellar has a special charm! This particular one is an example of the typical rural architecture as found on the slopes of Monte Generoso in Mendrisiotto. Here there are several wine cellars in the form of small buildings in compact clusters. Excavated into the mountain side, the cellars provide an ideal and consistent climate for storing wine and food. The intervention involved the renovation of a traditional construction with stone walls and pitched roof. In the basement we modified a utility area with vaulted ceiling reinforced with hollow bricks. From there it leads to the stone barrel-vaulted cellar which is reserved for the storage of wine and dried / preserved meats. A new spiral staircase leads directly to the upper floor, which can also be accessed from an outside staircase that follows the contours of the land. A fireplace and services (kitchen, utility room, bathroom) were added to enhance the upper floor. Above this again, and while retaining the spirit and character of the original utilitarian building, the higher than usual roof space was adapted to form a loft bedroom with seating.