THE PROJECT

Just as the group of architects experimented with new ways of living and building by designing the
Case Study Houses in 1950s California—using new prefabrication tools—
70 years later, we return to explore new ways of building and living.

TEMPA is a guesthouse designed for experimentation
across architecture, design, food, and communication.

Two bedrooms and a spacious living area make up a non-hotel for hosting journalists, guest chefs and mixologists, artists, musicians, and clients—
allowing for retreats lasting a few hours or a few days.

LOCATION – PARCO DELLA MURGIA

Just two kilometers from the center of Matera, in the heart of the Murgia Materana Park,
is a small terraced olive grove perched above the ravine and the rocky wall of Tempa Rossa,
facing it with a breathtaking view despite being just minutes from downtown.

Here is where AREA 8’s latest project, TEMPA, will come to life.

KITCHEN CLUB

A large open kitchen designed for experimentation, contamination, learning, and tasting.
A place to share ideas and recipes from ancient culinary cultures.

A space where guests are invited to work in an agricultural context
while using state-of-the-art equipment and tools.

A lab to transform herbs and plants collected during foraging on the Matera Murgia,
and to enjoy products and recipes in good company.

Perfect for private dinners (home dinners), workshops, team building, and small corporate events.

VEGETABLE GARDEN & GREENHOUSE

The small TEMPA plot already includes 55 olive trees and dozens of fig, walnut, almond, and other fruit trees, as well as prickly pear plants
and wild aromatic herbs like rosemary, thyme, and capers.
The project includes a vegetable and seasonal garden and an herb garden.
A small ancient tuff quarry on site will be transformed into a greenhouse/orangery,
to experiment with citrus cultivations such as bergamot and chinotto,
and the use of cutting-edge technologies.
Currently, the plot allows for the use of some self-grown, harvested, and processed zero-kilometer products,
such as extra virgin olive oil, jams, and preserves.

CASE STUDY HOUSE

The Case Study House Program was a unique event in American architectural history.
Funded by Arts & Architecture magazine, the program (1945–1966) aimed to address the post-war building boom
by creating prototypes of modern, affordable homes for the average American.

Concentrated in the Los Angeles area, the 36 house models were commissioned to top architects of the time:
Richard Neutra, Charles and Ray Eames, Pierre Koenig, Eero Saarinen, Raphael Soriano, Quincy Jones, and Craig Ellwood.

The guidelines emphasized the use of war-born techniques and materials to express modern living including steel beams and girders enabling large glass surfaces.