WITH ARCH. MONICA MARTINI
The project involves the renovation and extension of the front section of a 1950s residential building, with the aim of adapting it to the contemporary living needs of a young family. The work, carried out in accordance with the regional ‘Piano Casa’ regulations, is based on the principle of reusing existing structures and ensuring intergenerational continuity, whilst retaining the original footprint, volume and architectural style.
The main typological features are preserved, such as the gabled roof with clay tile covering, the ridge and eaves lines, and the external finishes in traditional plaster. The entrance is emphasised by a triangular pergola that houses a tree, taken as a symbol of rootedness and continuity.
The interior spaces have undergone a functional reorganisation which, whilst retaining the traditional layout (living area on the ground floor and sleeping area on the first floor), introduces elements of spatial innovation, such as the double-height living room, the bathroom block on the ground floor and the walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom. These features create a dialogue between spatial continuity and discontinuity, between solid and void spaces.
The spatial configuration is fluid and adaptable thanks to the use of sliding panels and the relationship between the openings on the opposing façades, which allow continuity between the north and south gardens, evoking the ‘through portico’ of rural tradition. The extension, situated along the north-south axis and open to the west, serves as an entrance and service area and reinterprets the courtyard settlement typology, strengthening the dialogue with the local context.
Published in Pièra No. 8/September 2018
