ARW associates connects claw-shaped house with its mountainous landscape in italy

facing mount adamello and lake iseo of northern italy, the claw house by ARW associates has been developed as an observation device that connects the site to the surrounding landscape. the residence is designed with a ‘claw system’, which, through the folds in its form, is able to establish a series of visual connections with the various geographical horizons that frame it. for example, specific portions of the living area have been arranged to face the courtyard and the adamello mountains, while the kitchen faces the sebino peat bogs nature reserve, and the night area incorporates openings that look towards the lake.

all images by atelier xyz

lead by camillo botticini and matteo facchinelli, ARW associates has defined the architecture of the claw house based on its relation to the site and the external environment, resulting in a structure that appears to have always been there but at the same time expresses an idea of a contemporary domesticity. its claw-like form creates a faceted exterior surface, which establishes varying visual connections to make the most out of the surrounding landscape. in this way, the living room benefits from a view towards the mountain, the kitchen from a view towards the nature reserve, and the night area from a view toward the lake.

the low-volume building is located at the highest level of the site, with a form that resembles a roof suspended between the earth and the sky. a path leads up to the entrance of the house, while a garage and a stairway are built around it. the main pedestrian entrance is through a slight excavation of the façade: to the left there is the kitchen and to the right there is the dining area and living room, which overlook towards the west courtyard of the building.