projects | Viabizzuno progettiamo la luce

from the attic of a rural building in the lombardy countryside by the banks of the river po, a spacious, sunny house was derived. this former attic is characterised by an ample space divided into three sectors by two pre-existing load-bearing walls, with round arch openings in the centre of the septa. a central stairwell separates the two main parts: to the south-east the kitchen-living room, to the south-west the bedrooms, creating a fluid division between night-time and daytime living spaces. natural light is provided by increasing the glass surface of pre-existing openings and by a series of small skylights positioned lengthwise along each of the two axes symmetrical with the layout of the house; light comes from above to give a warm colour to the reclaimed wooden flooring and lend additional material presence to the brick walls. the incline of the two pitches favours use of the spaces close to the perimeter walls as utility areas: cloakroom, store-rooms and technical spaces for heating and other plant. in the part destined for the daytime area, an introverted opening with a wooden sunshade, is exactly mid-way between the living room and the kitchen, in correspondence with the roof ridge: to the sides of this aperture which frames the surrounding countryside is the only plastered wall in the building. the remaining walls maintain the original brickwork, so maintaining also the original character of the old attic. the interior dividing walls are of whitewashed plaster panelling, while the walls of the utility areas are faced with boiserie. wood and septa become the instruments for measuring out a living space which seems to draw life from a significant central nucleus, characteristic and symbolic: the open hearth. the fireplace is made into a furnishing feature by the adjunct of bookshelves to the sides and shelves for firewood; the structure is in steel faced with wood reclaimed from disused railway sleepers. the hearth thus becomes the heart of the home, the spatial element which distributes the functions of the living room, the object which draws the eye, enchanting it; its axial position between the kitchen and the living-room window makes it possible to look from the kitchen beyond the flames to the surrounding landscape outside the window. a sequence of windows on light: from firelight to natural light.