barilari architetti builds stone picture house with concrete frames

set within the picturesque bucolic landscape near the adriatic coast of central italy, rome-based studio barilari architetti has completed the picture house. a two story private residence for a family, the picture house exhibits large scale characteristics typical of the area but firmly maintains a vernacular all it’s own. the exterior is mostly clad in local stone recalling traditional construction, interrupted by a series of windows that form a dynamic composition of solid and void throughout the external envelope, serving as view ports that frame calculated views of the near and distant landscape. each tapered frame takes on a personality of its own, changing in depth and thickness depending on the size of the opening and the amount of desired light inside, imposing an independent design strategy onto the homogeneous cladding of the facades that together create a playful contemporary design within the agrarian context.

at night, the collage of windows lights up against the stone facade
image © v. barilari (also first image)

the ground floor is partially submerged into the hillside, containing within the subterranean portion a bedroom and bathroom. the living room and kitchen enjoy much of the main floor opening onto an exterior deck. the internal design is conceived as individual components placed in space within the outer envelope, sometimes falling on half-levels or the ‘in-between’ spaces. the heart of the project lies in the central stairs which connects every part of the house. consisting of ramps and steps of different sizes, the stairs serve as circulation, floor plane, or sitting area for groups; they provide for constant discovery through the home with a variety of interactions and visual connections between various parts of the house. 

the exterior materials are composed of stone and concrete plaster
image © v. barilari

the material palette is kept rather simple, mirroring the textures and tones of the land. concrete slabs covered in natural wood flooring meet earth-toned plaster covered walls making for a warm and neutral atmosphere. using steel stringers for the stair structure allows them to take on an airy feel, with open risers that allow light and views to pass through them. each window is meant to be observed from a specific point in the house, although any angle will reveal an entirely new series of exterior portraits within the house, decorating the walls. upstairs, the master suite and additional bedroom enjoy the longest views to the horizon.

the house is equal parts traditional form and contemporary design
image © v. barilari

image © v. barilari

an exterior wooden patio extends the internal living room
image © v. barilari

image © v. barilari

each frame takes on a character of its own, allowing for unique interactions with the building form, facade, and intersecting frames
image © v. barilari

image © v. barilari

a mezzanine level is accessed by a gentle ramp off the upstairs hallway
image © v. barilari

the central staircase is the backbone of the home, taking on various functions to service all areas of the house
image © v. barilari

image © v. barilari

the master bedroom enjoys a corner window framing the hilly landscape
image © v. barilari

image © v. barilari

the concrete structure is partially exposed and makes up part of the material palette of the house
image © v. barilari

image © v. barilari

sliding opaque panels expose the downstairs bedroom
image © v. barilari

image © v. barilari

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project info:

location: ripatransone, ap – italia
client: p. lister – d. vandersmagt
project: barilari architetti | f. barilari – a. barilari
structures: arch. fabio barilari with s. catasta, p. antonini, r. brunelli
design leader: f. barilari
collaborators: f. schingo, k. nathan, a. vitiello, e. mattiucci, b. savignano, o. dani
imprese: rediwdesign s.r.l. di w. jaroslaw; metalsec s.r.l. di p. ciarlatiello
area: 170 sqm
photos: v. barilari

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