Cascina delle Rose costs a neat €1.6m but the price buys you a mini estate of one hectare with two huge, traditional farmhouses that have been exquisitely restored according to bioarchitectural principles

It takes deep pockets to buy Cascina delle Rose, near Pordenone, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, but then few homes can beat this mini estate’s blend of vernacular architecture and biotechnology.

Cascina is a bit of a misnomer for this property: it should be Cascine because it comprises two enormous farmhouses—the main one, and an ancillary one—set in one hectare of land.

Both homes are traditional brick buildings with porticoes. The main farmhouse, which is made of stone as well as bricks, is laid across three floors, with a large portico on the ground floor and a huge covered terrace above it. The living room alone is the size of a small flat, and the farmhouse kitchen the size of a generous living room. A lovely internal staircase leads to the sleeping quarters—four bedrooms and two bathrooms with sauna and jacuzzi. Further up is the attic, which could be turned into a gym or a studio.

The other farmhouse lies across a courtyard. It is huge—slight bigger than the main house—with ten bedrooms, and plenty of versatile living space.

Outside, exquisitely landscaped parkland borders the house, affording far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside. A 6x12m swimming pool is perfect to relax while taking in the verdant panorama. There are also stables with nine boxes.

What makes the farmhouses really special, however, is that they have been restored according to bioarchitectural criteria. The original walls were so thick that the restorers didn’t need concrete to reinforce them. Instead they used cork to boost thermal and acustic insulation. The electrical system was designed to avoid electro-smog and magnetic fields, and the plaster is made of five whitewash layers. At the same time, details such as larch wood and cotto floors, and exposed beams preserve the houses’ rustic feel.

The guiding principle of bioarchitecture is to improve the quality of living and reduce the incidence of allergies and sensitivities. A positive side effect, however, is that the farmhouses are energy efficient, thus reducing the utilities bills, particularly for what concerns heating.

Which is good because it softens the blow of the asking price—it is a neat €1.6m through Casaitalia International (+39 0743 220122, www.casait.it).