Like many who visit Puglia, we were immediately drawn to its stunning beaches, warm-hearted people, incredible food, and world-class wine. What started as a holiday quickly turned into something more—by 2015, we had taken the leap and purchased a plot of land, eager to carve out a little piece of this beautiful region for ourselves.
Just before Covid struck, the dream expanded—we found a second property next door in Carovigno and decided to go all in. But, as with many Italian renovation and building projects, reality set in. The Carovigno commune was tangled in bureaucracy, and for years, planning permissions were at a standstill.
Determined to build sustainably, we set out on what became a long, frustrating search for a geometra (the Italian equivalent of an architect/surveyor) who would support our vision of building with hemp insulation. Hours of online research, countless drives searching for properties on Google Maps, and seven geometras later, we finally found one who was willing to take on the challenge. (Tick in the box—geometra found!)
But just as we were making progress, we learned that San Vito dei Normanni was a far easier commune to work with in terms of planning permissions. We decided to pivot once again, purchasing a third property in San Vito, a plot with an old deposito and a small toilet/tool shed. This time, we approached the project with a different mindset—rather than trying to get full approval for hemp construction, we would build traditionally but insulate the entire structure with hemp.
This is where our story begins—a journey of determination, patience, and a deep commitment to sustainable building in Puglia. Stay with us as we share the ups and downs of creating a home that balances tradition with modern, eco-friendly innovation.
