luca poian forms' simoni house is a folded timber box in northern italy

a passive dwelling in northern italy

luca poian forms completes its ‘simoni house,’ a new home along the outskirts of a small town in northern italy. the compact house is designed to be highly sustainable, favoring passive methods of performance — the solar orientation and geometry of the timber dwelling makes use of the principles of passive solar heating to maximize thermal loads during the winter months.

meanwhile, the southern-facing facade folds into a trapezoidal funnel that ensures maximum penetration of direct sunlight during the winter while minimizes summer overheating by doubling as a large brise-soleil that shades the building when the sun is at its highest position.

images © massimo crivellari | @crivefoto

the design by luca poian forms

the design team at luca poian forms organizes its simoni house around a central living room that divides the house into two symmetrical wings. one wing is dedicated to gathering areas including the kitchen and dining spaces while the other hosts private functions for the members of the family, including a spacious master suite. a small vestibule on the north end of the house serves as a prelude to the main living room, framing views of the surrounding garden as you enter the house.

the timber simoni house

luca poian forms builds the simoni house entirely of wood, with a construction of prefabricated cross-laminated timber finished in torched larch timber planks. the design team selects a material palette which celebrates the structure’s eventual weathering, deliberately minimizing the frequency of operational maintenance while allowing the building to slowly develop a textured coloration and patina.

the facade is designed to ensure the house’s passive performance

the trapezoidal plan shows strategic cuts and folds

the house is sited along the outskirts of a small town in northern italy

the folded surfaces lend an optimized solar orientation

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project info:

project title: simoni house

architecture: luca poian forms
 | @lucapoianforms

location: northern italy
M&E: studio ing. giandomenico merlo
structure: adriano mion
acoustics: alberto asquini

general contractor: zanini home
photography: massimo crivellari | @crivefoto