Designed by Pedevilla Architects, trapezoid shapes appear as recurring elements in the overall design of this house. In particular, trapezoidal dormers are used as skylights. Based on the archaic form of a house, no distinction is made between roof and facade in this high-alpine family home in South Tyrol.
The three upper floors are constructed from wood collected on the site after a heavy storm. Massive spruce was jointed in order to create the interior and exterior walls, using a special technique that avoids the use of adhesives and resins. On the inside, the surface consists of solid and hand-planed stone pine wood. All walls have already been prefabricated with this surface; the connections for windows and doors were rebated into the wall elements. Because of its warm colour and characteristic smell, which gives the room a feeling of well-being and warmth, stone pine has been used in local tradition for many centuries as the interior lining of living spaces.
The exterior of the building here is finished with hand-split larch shingles. The choice of materials was driven by aesthetic qualities as well as the knowledge about their resistance and durability. For example, larch wood, as used for the façade, is weather-resistant even without any treatment. Over the years, the solid woods develop a patina, giving them greater character and charm.
The concrete used for the basement consists of a dolomite rock from the nearby creek, enriched with the property’s own thermal water.
Great importance was also attached to the social and cultural aspects of sustainability. Only craftsmen from the local valley area were involved, who were able to enrich the project with their experience and expertise in local construction methods. The perpetuation of local traditions in modern ways respects the local culture and preserves millennia-old knowledge, which is endangered due to high-tech developments and the increasing standardization of new buildings.
