Visiera House

Loc. Altavilla, Alba (CN), Italy

Type: New construction
Area: 136 sqm
Completion: 2009
Images: Barbara Corsico

The architectural plan of the building has been able to convey a feeling of serene life plunged into a perfectly respected surrounding, without having to renounce its strong and individual character. The initial project was based on an existing construction. The idea behind it was to adapt the shape of the building to new technological needs and tastes while at the same time keeping its shape and disposition of volumes. The result has been the reduction of sections in the lower parts of the building in order to maximize living spaces.

Despite legal and structural limitations, the completely open plan ground floor ( kitchen and dining room are both in one space) and the ribbon windows allow for a brightly lit living area. This floor is connected to the level above by a single flight open staircase with a very light metal structure, bound by a single transparent wall. The latter has avoided an excessive narrowing of the space and the risk of dimming natural sunlight.

The small parallelepiped space, very squared in shape, has been completed by placing a “lid” to cover and protect the body of the building as well as enhance the rigor of architectural choices. At the same time, however, it tends towards the soft open countryside which clashes with the building’s architecture. The two terraces on the eastern side of the estate also look onto this landscape. They have been conceived as clean and geometrical, but, like the rest of the building, tend towards the surrounding landscape.

Therefore, the plan embodies the concept of finding one’s place without imposing one’s presence. The project has tried to best interpret the clients’ needs by offering a complete and functional architectural plan, reducing spaces to the bare minimum, but at the same time creating wide and bright areas that can freely  communicate with external spaces, the Langhe countryside region, thus establishing an immediate and almost magical contact with nature.