Architetti Bianchi Clerici

The context of scattered houses and neighboring undeveloped parcels of land oblige a rigorous design of building volumes: the perimeters of the new building are imagined precise and oriented with the aim of determining an indication of development of the area and, at the same time, clarifying its presence in the territory.

In addition to orientation with respect to cardinal points and thus to sunshine, the project is called upon to confront the neighborhood: the architectural proposal favors open views to the southeast and avoids orienting the overlooks both toward the southwest mapping, in light of the important volume authorized and not yet built by the neighboring owners, and toward Via Valle Maggiore, the transit and access road to the entire subdivision.

The building develops in width until it occupies the entire available dimension by standing on the building setbacks. In depth it comes as close as possible to the northwest boundary to allow the creation of the driveway entrance lane. To avoid excavation and backfill work, the spaces of the garage and technical rooms are built above ground.

The project is articulated within a single volume, arranged on two levels.

From the access area, through dedicated paths that overcome lower-than-storey elevation differences, there is independent access to the two residential units that share parking areas and technical and storage rooms.

By taking advantage of the existing height difference between the access road and the tax plane of the planned plot, increasing it until the maximum allowed accommodation on the boundaries is reached, it is possible to provide the necessary privacy to the garden towards the valley.

The relationship between transparency and privacy turns out to be central in the development of this project: the need for well-lit rooms through the use of perimeter, continuous, full-height glazed surfaces compels special attention to the issue of intimacy.

The design response is to circumscribe the Glassbox with a protective concrete skin, with a load-bearing function from which the structures hang, made at a certain distance from the transparent facades, in defense of the family unit.

The distance between the insulated perimeter and the concrete shell becomes the diaphragm between the private sphere and the outside world, an area of respect that manifests itself as a succession of empty volumes, animated by the shadows carried, on several heights, with diversified orientations and views.

The concrete shell is complemented by the screens made of perforated natural aluminum sheet with concrete-like coloring. The metal surfaces complete the protective shell while ensuring permeability of light and air.

An open-plan unit is organized on the upper floor, a compositional solution that allows for the limitation of surfaces intended for circulation. The moved section ensures the division between lowered living area and raised sleeping area and grants greater height to the large living room with linear development. The unit is provided with large outdoor appurtenant spaces, some of which are covered, that are developed all around the perimeter of the rooms. A large gash in the roof ensures the relationship with the sky.

On the lower level is organized the second accommodation open to the garden and swimming pool. A large porch, built at the ground floor level, raised above the garden level, allows a view of the mountains beyond the boundary hedge.