act_romegialli’s underground pavilion contains a sunken swimming pool

charged with adding an indoor pool to an existing home in northern italy, local practice act_romegialli built a subterranean pavilion containing both leisure and fitness facilities. with its location informed by the site’s natural topography, the new structure’s glazed façade opens on to an artificial lake populated with buoyant water lilies.

the independent dwelling is reached by a timber pathway
all images © marcello mariana

to achieve a feeling of continuity throughout the scheme, small white ceramic tiles were chosen to line the pool as well as its neighboring surfaces. the front of the pavilion houses a sliding door that disappears into a structural cavity, maximizing the intimate relationship with the surrounding parkland.

the structure is integrated into the site’s natural topography

the independent space is reached externally by a path that emphasizes a profound sense of seclusion and privacy. internally, the pavilion’s sequential geometric volumes can be accessed via an underground tunnel that leads directly from the main house.

a new relationship is formed between the main house and the sunken pavilion

in addition to this sunken sanctuary, a glazed conservatory was added as an extension of the existing property – an early 19th century building renovated ten years previously. sitting one meter above the ground plane, the residence had very little connection with the surrounding parkland. consequently, the client desired an enclosed space from which garden views could be enjoyed.

the glazed façade opens on to an artificial lake filled with water lilies

white ceramic tiles have been chosen to line the pool and its adjacent surfaces

the pavilion comprises a series of distinct volumes

curved surfaces are clad with the same white tile as the pool’s lining

fitness areas are also included as part of the scheme

a connecting underground tunnel leads directly from the main house

a glazed conservatory was also added as an extension of the early 19th century property

the enclosed space offers sweeping garden views

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project info:

name: la piscina del roccolo (roccolo’s swimming pool)
location: alta brianza, italy
completed: 2015

structure: studio maffia-rossetti
steel structure: studio moncecchi associati
plantation: studio bertolini
landscape: emanuele bortolotti  – ag&p
construction work: APAG – Carvernago BG
windows: thema
furniture design: GF fioroni
lighting: mario sulis -trasparenze
ceramics: spandrio
photography: marcello mariana