davide macullo's interwoven timber pavilions nestle in the swiss alps woodland

Davide Macullo builds eight wooden pavilions in Switzerland

Ispace is an architectural series comprising eight timber installations nestled within the woodlands of the village of Rossa, located in the Calanca Valley, Switzerland. The project by Davide Macullo Architects was initially conceived three years ago, in 2020, when their first star-like timber pavilion took shape in the area. The architects aimed to create environments to rekindle people’s connection with the natural world and explore the landscape through their senses.

With the support of the RossArte Foundation, the municipality of Rossa, and the Swiss National Park Val Calanca, the project has engaged valley residents, visitors, and institutions in a collective effort. It actively contributes to the ongoing discussion surrounding the improvement of rural areas. ‘Ispace is a project born out of an idea combining art and architecture in the creation of environments that stimulate people to perceive the influence of a space on their moods. It is a re-evaluation of the territory, allowing us to rediscover our bond with nature,’ shares the team.

all images by Corrado Griggi

Ispace pavilions for Sensory Discovery

The RossArte foundation (see more here) aims to foster balanced development in the areas of social, economic, and cultural growth for the region’s future. As part of this effort, the foundation has created pavilions that not only contribute to the identity of Rossa and Val Calanca as a destination for tourism but also as a place for work and life. 

Davide Macullo’s architectural studio emphasizes that architecture serves as the connection between a place’s essence and its future. Their designs aim to infuse reason, passion, and joy into built spaces, evoking a sense of discovery and wonder for the inhabitants. The studio places great importance on the sensory perception of space, a concept inspired by Macullo’s studies under Professor Luis Flotron in the 1980s. Flotron’s ‘Game of the Dove’ project explored how people can intuitively experience different psychological states and characteristics within a labyrinth, leading to introspection. While the original project remained on paper, it is now reborn in Rossa as Ispace,  symbolizing peace and rhythm and merging ecological and human aspects within physical installations.

Davide Macullo’s timber pavilions in the Swiss Alps

The interventions aim to balance the growing influence of technology on how people construct their living spaces. It begins with the use of locally sourced materials, such as larch trees harvested on-site for deforestation on the valley’s slopes, supporting environmental considerations and making the most of the material’s inherent qualities. The straightforward design approach, with minimal reliance on specific construction methods, highlights the timeless connection between humanity and the natural world without needlessly emphasizing a particular era.

‘Ispace is an invitation to discover the paths through the valley and reveals the richness of biodiversity and magic hidden corners of the forest. These new living spaces suggest moments of leisure, meditation, observation and even reflection on the theme that interests us most: how to put man back in tune with nature, to which we belong but from which we also distance ourselves,’ add the architects.

each of the pavilions is integrated within the region’s characteristics

wooden slabs are intricately intertwined using various patterns to assemble the pavilions

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spiral pavilion during the winter season

creating connection between humanity and the natural world

all the structures employ locally sourced materials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

name: Ispace

architect: Davide Macullo Architects | @davidemaculloarchitects

design collaborators: Jung Kim, Lorenza Tallarini, Aileen Forbes-Munnelly, Andrea Conti
promotor: RossArte Foundation
partners: Municipality of Rossa, Grisons, Parco Val Calanca, Swiss Regional Nature Park
Fondazione Pro Calanca, Fondazione del bosco val Calanca,Azienda Forestale Calanca Interna
timber engineering and construction: Frei Holzbau AG, Kriessern, St. Gallen, Switzerland
location: Rossa, Grisons, Switzerland
function: Permanent timber installation

construction: June 2023
footprint: ca. 20 sqm x 8 installations
material: Local larch timber

photographer: Corrado Griggi