35a studio's house R evokes singularity in a small village of northern italy

this small holiday home belongs to a young milanese couple and is located in casa d’agosto, northern italy. it is set in a hilly landscape full of villages and castles, surrounded by flourishing nature made of woods and large cultivated areas. ‘house R’ is situated exactly on the grounds of an old pre-existing brick barn, demolished to leave room for a new building.

the residence is located at ground level for the enjoyment of the surrounding nature
all images © architect andrea carmignola, architect maddalena merlo

the residence is conceived as an open-space arrangement of two floors, articulated in a single double-height volume. what stands out of 35a studio’s design is the spatial configuration and the 45-degree rotation of the traditional roof cover. the result is the creation of four identical trapezoidal sections. the internal distribution is simple and divided as follows:

a) the living and dining areas are found on ground floor, accessible from the main entrance door and the outside garden.

b) the open-space ground floor is divided into a large double-height living area, a dining area located below the mezzanine, and the open-space kitchen.

c) small bathrooms on both floors.

d) the access to the sleeping area is ensured by an open staircase, adjacent to the living room.

e) two open bedrooms overlook the living room from the upper floor.

f) the view of the surrounding landscape can be enjoyed from the bedrooms.

the traditional roof cover is rotated by 45-degree

the materiality of the solid wood elements, elegance of concrete floors, rough texture of the concrete walls and exposed ceiling contribute to representing this vision of living space. the materials used in the construction are mainly reinforced concrete and are completely in sight in the interior spaces. meanwhile, the exterior finishes ensure continuity with the interior; all façades are finished with dark grained plaster. the design process follows and confirms the brutalist language of the whole work.

All the façades are finished with a dark grained plaster

the relationship with the landscape is guaranteed by large wood windows, some of them openable and other fixed, which together allow light, air, and the view of the surrounding hills. all the openings are in fact designed according to the need of offering the best external sight.

the ground floor is divided into a double-height living area and a dining area located below the mezzanine

the open-space kitchen has a concrete worktop and treated maple doors

all materials highlight the most sensitive aspects of the architectural work

the relationship with the landscape is guaranteed by large wood windows

two open bedrooms overlook the living area on the upper floor

you can enjoy the view of the surrounding landscape through the large windows from the bedrooms

plans

elevations

sections

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edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom