projects | Viabizzuno progettiamo la luce

the site is located in cerro, suburb of the laveno/monbello municipality, in the province of varese. the 17,000 square meters estate is characterized by a hilly and wooded landscape that slopes down to the lago maggiore. due to structural problems appeared in the very first stage of the work, the planned renovation project was then directed to a complete demolition and reconstruction of the original mediocre looking building, consisting of two volumes aggregated and distinct in their forms. the activity of new reconstruction had to keep the original features and also the overall profile, respecting the heights and volumes above ground as well as according to local building regulations. furthermore the project included a basement and a “L” shaped swimming pool in grip on the west of the house. therefore the new building appears with the two buildings joined by a double height continuous glass with hinge function of the two volumes, emphasizing the original typological diversity. this project aims to find a architectural solution full of glimpses, able to make the modern architectural features (the wide glasses) and the traditional ones (the ‘luserna’ stone facings). the internal layout of the house is centralized by a glass staircase and projecting on the north to the forest/garden and with the transparent panoramic elevator. interior spaces have been designed to minimize the paths everywhere and to leave a total freedom to reach the outside. the living area, planned on the ground floor, with large sliding glass panels is in direct contact with the garden and the seating area of the pool seems part of the living room. the sleeping area, located on the first floor and attic, has five suites with many terraces. in the basement a wellness area (on the west side of the house) was built, with external exit to the transparent wall of the pool. the latter opening in plexiglass, scenic as it is as big as the size of the short side of the tank, allows the light to make bright part of the house that would otherwise be in darkness and makes suggestive view of swimmers in the pool. qualitatively significant elements of the house are the large windows and still conjugated to the sliding doors, which when opened allow to live as much as possible in contact with nature and, when closed, allow to keep a close eye contact with the surrounding and enjoy the garden and the woods surrounding, perceptible from every corner of the house. light predominates and the house itself becomes a ‘meridian’ where the sun penetrating from different openings indicates the day passing by. this design choice has led inevitably to pay close attention to the technical characteristics of the frames and glass to decrease heat loss in winter and reduce the caloric intake in the summer. for this reason and also to improve visual comfort inside the house, seen the generous openings, external solar screens have been provided, that allow to repair the house from excessive heat without blocking the view to the outside. the lighting design becomes one with the architecture and also the lighting fittings become not only objects that produce light, but also volumes integrated into the architecture.