An Old Tool Shed Transformed Into A Stylish House With A Rooftop Pool

When they first started working on this project, the architect team at DAP Studio didn’t actually anticipate they would end up building a house with a swimming pool on its rooftop. 

This surprisingly luxurious little house sits on a small hill in North-East Sicily
This surprisingly luxurious little house sits on a small hill in North-East Sicily

The initial plan was for them to renovate the exterior area surrounding the main residence which is situated a short distance away and also to complete a swimming pool which was on top of a tool shed that was partially built underground.  

The pivoting vertical screens give the wooden facade a dynamic structure
The pivoting vertical screens give the wooden facade a dynamic structure
The foundation walls are made from the same stone used in the garden landscaping
The foundation walls are made from the same stone used in the garden landscaping

Realizing the potential this modest tool shed had was a turning point in the project. After that a decision was made to transform the shed into a secondary house with a rooftop pool and a welcoming interior. The end result was this beautiful 90 square meter modern structure which serves as a symbol of the fusion between architecture and nature. 

Large windows establish a strong visual connection between the interior living spaces and the garden
Large windows establish a strong visual connection between the interior living spaces and the garden
The partially cantilevered roof forms an airy covered patio which extends the living areas outside
The partially cantilevered roof forms an airy covered patio which extends the living areas outside

The exterior of the building is constructed out of simple materials like and dry stone which help it easily blend into the surroundings. A key design element is a system of pivoting sunscreens which are part of the dynamic facade. These can open and close in order to filter the sunlight and to expose different angles of the beautiful hillside landscape surrounding the house. 

The faux ceiling is decorated with horizontal wood slats that mimic the design of the facade
The faux ceiling is decorated with horizontal wood slats that mimic the design of the facade
The rooftop swimming pool offers a panoramic view over the entire surrounding landscape
The rooftop swimming pool offers a panoramic view over the entire surrounding landscape
The sunscreens can open and close easily using a pivoting system
The sunscreens can open and close easily using a pivoting system
The wood paneling on the walls and ceiling adds a lot of warmth to the minimalistic interior
The wood paneling on the walls and ceiling adds a lot of warmth to the minimalistic interior
When the sunscreens pivot open the living area is bathed in magnificent sunlight
When the sunscreens pivot open the living area is bathed in magnificent sunlight

The interior echoes the simple exterior, making use of the same array of materials. The walls and faux ceiling are covered in wood and there’s a beautiful accent wall at the back of the house which is made of lava stone. The speckled gray floor is meant is meant to mimic the gravel pathways that cross the garden and connect this secondary house to the main residence.

The back wall is covered in lava stone which echoes the stone walls that adorn the garden
The back wall is covered in lava stone which echoes the stone walls that adorn the garden
The kitchen is very simplistic and furnished in wood that matches the walls
The kitchen is very simplistic and furnished in wood that matches the walls
From the rooftop one has a dreamy view over the rooftops towards the sea
From the rooftop one has a dreamy view over the rooftops towards the sea
The glass railing around the rooftop pool allows for an uninterrupted view of the beautiful surroundings
The glass railing around the rooftop pool allows for an uninterrupted view of the beautiful surroundings