House MG

A small inhabited space with an old, somewhat decadent building on the outskirts of the city, in a medium-populated residential area, has been completely transformed to become the new home of a very young couple. The project consisted in the demolition of the previous house and the construction of a new highly energy efficient residential building, characterized by large and bright internal spaces, especially in the living area.

At a design level, the various constraints given by the specific position of the previous building together with the south and west views characterized by proximity to neighborhood, made the process to arrive at the definitive solution very long and difficult.

The clients' request was to live in a contemporary house with a large and very bright living area and a more protected and introspective sleeping one. Therefore the two functions of the home have been identified in two clearly opposite architectures: the living space is open, welcoming and facing outwards; the sleeping area is closed and protected from prying eyes.

The living room has considerable internal height and was designed to welcome guests during long winter and summer evenings. The large windows, in fact, are connected both visually and physically with the external space, dominated by a large overhang that protects people even during rainy days. The courtyard thus protected offers a hybrid space for outdoor activities even in intermediate seasons.

The kitchen is characterized by a large island that completely replaces the classic dining table, and was designed together with the clients till the smallest details. The flooring of the living room is in smooth sand concrete and it has been used for the exterior space to be another element of union with the interior area. The columns behind the glass walls are reflected in the glossy lime ceiling that emphasizes its slenderness.

The sculptural wooden staircase divides and marks the passage between the glass structure and the monolithic body of the sleeping area. Externally, this volume is perceived as a compact block of stone, scratched by vertical striations in correspondence with the windows. The smaller openings of the sleeping rooms create spaces with a dim and balanced light that encourages relaxation.

DID