modus architects shapes artist residence + atelier in italian mountains

modus architects artist residence + atelier
photo by niccolò morgan gandolfi
all images courtesy of modus architects

located in the mountain village of castelrotto in northern italy, modus architects has designed a residence and atelier for an artist, composed as two diverging wood volumes which view the town and valley below. the dwelling is shaped with peaked roof forms, which reference both the surrounding landscape as well as vernacular traditions. a diagonally gridded timber structure elevates the upper two levels, and is perched upon a concrete base sunk into the ground, housing the lower floor.

the wood structure and upper volumes are perched upon a concrete base
photo by niccolò morgan gandolfi

the diagonal laminated wood structure is visually expressed among the vertically-oriented larch board cladding. by elevating the upper volumes on stilts, a band of glass curtain walls is inserted to provide daylight to the lower level. the building’s layout places the living spaces on the upper floors, while the artist’s gallery and double-height studio are located below. an outdoor deck is located on the first floor’s south side, wrapping around the point from which either of the twin volumes rotates.

the peaked roof forms reference the surrounding mountains
photo by niccolò morgan gandolfi

the diagonally gridded frame is visually expressed on the building’s exterior
photo by niccolò morgan gandolfi

an elevated deck wraps the house’s southern edge where the building volumes meet
photo by niccolò morgan gandolfi

a band of glass curtain wall separates the upper and lower volumes, to allow for daylight entry
photo by niccolò morgan gandolfi

the ground floor houses the the artist’s gallery
photo by niccolò morgan gandolfi

a cylindrical concrete form houses a spiral staircase
photos by niccolò morgan gandolfi

photo by niccolò morgan gandolfi

photo by niccolò morgan gandolfi

1/8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

location: calsterotto, bolzano, italy
dates: 2009-2013
building volume: 1,400 cbm
cost: 750,000 euro
design: sandy attia e matteo scagnol / modus architects
collaboration with: volkmar schultz, samuel minesso
photography: niccolò morgan gandolfi