projects | Viabizzuno progettiamo la luce

the house forms part of a larger project, which includes the restoration of a rural development in the hills between salsomaggiore terme and fidenza. there are two sides to the project, firstly the restoration and improvement, both in condition and usability, of the owner's villa and associated haylofts and, secondly, a new, single-family house, built out towards the countryside on the remains of the now dilapidated stable. the house is superimposed on an L shaped arrangement in fair-faced brickwork, retained from the original building and a new L shape is set against this, a solid, powerful wall, offering privacy from the adjacent historic building, which will house six apartments of varying size. the new house is naturally located with its most open and transparent side facing the luxuriant countryside to the rear. the picture windows of the living area and kitchen and the fenestration to the upper floor bedrooms benefit from an extraordinary view, seen across the private garden, equipped with solarium and hydromassage tub. the house is arranged on two floors: on the ground floor is the entire living area, including living room, kitchen, dining area, study and bathroom; on the upper floor are the master bedroom, a dressing room that can be converted into a guest room, a bathroom, a passage fitted with wardrobes and a large private terrace overlooking the countryside. in the basement is a small cellar for wine and cured meats with a plant-room attached. the choice of finishes was dictated by the arrangement of the opposing L shapes. what one sees, therefore, are the remaining section of brickwork and the opposing rendered wall, interrupted only by the fireplace and the staircase top-light. all the other external walls (facing the garden) have been clad in high-performance timber panels. overall, the external masonry finish takes on a rural, irregular character, while the interior remains simple, the light colours giving it an elegant, minimalist quality. glass partitions separate the rooms while allowing visual continuity between one space and another and an uninterrupted flow both of natural and artificial light. the staircase block, the only element in black, cancels out the difference between the two floors and opens out the spaces, while shafts of light provide illumination, like slit windows on the walls.