Tenuta Castelfalfi, consolidation and underpinning work in an ancient Tuscan farmhouse

In the bucolic beauty of the typical Tuscan hilly landscape, among small plots cultivated with vines and olive trees, and vast expanses of meadows, pastures, and dense, lush forests, Toptaglio has completed consolidation work on an ancient farmhouse, preserving the building’s historical identity. We are in the Castelfalfi Estate, a hamlet in the municipality of Montaione, on the border between the Renaissance cities of Pisa and Florence. The presence of life and cultivation here dates back 2,000 years. At one time, this area of Tuscany was submerged by the sea: traces of numerous marine animals have been found on the hills of Castelfalfi, including the remains of a whale, which seems to have been the oldest inhabitant.

The work began with the installation of provisional protective measures for the underpinning, including the reinforcement of the perimeter walls through the construction of a formwork, filled with sand, to provide adequate support during the works and to avoid damaging the centuries-old walls. Inside the structure, reinforced plaster with lightweight concrete was applied to further consolidate the walls.

After completing the provisional protective works, excavation was carried out down to the foundation level, followed by the lowering of the floor to reach the foundations themselves. The underpinning was executed using an alternating block technique, distributed over time and space, and structured in two distinct phases:

• First phase: 2-meter block excavations were performed, followed by the placement of iron reinforcements. Subsequently, the concrete (CLS) was cast, prepared directly on-site.
• Second phase: a 50 cm rock layer was removed, and excavation resumed to a depth of about 2 meters. During this phase as well, the reinforcement and concrete casting of the blocks were carried out alternately to ensure proper distribution of forces.