house in urgnano reframes the horizon with concrete

mateo casari architetti: house in urgnano 

image © andrea martiradonna

in the south lombardian region of urgnano, a private home by local firm matteo casari architetti is approached as a stark diaphragm upon the mountainous landscape of northern italy. while the residential region is expanding, the home subverts the relationship of architecture and horizon line with a floating band of concrete raised a meter and a half above grade. circulation is clearly directed toward the hall-shaped entrance, itself a continuation of the tucked-under glazing that wraps around the dwelling. the home seeks to create a typology of interiors characterized by layers and the the negation of expansive exterior views. a network of pools bolsters a pointed focus on the ground plane by varying the solidity of the architectural surfaces. moreover, the exposed concrete dynamically moves light over its cast-pocked skin, due, in part to the use of anthracite as a fine aggregate. the effect is a particular luster that beckons light of the interiors.

the home’s central gesture is a band of concrete and glazing that allows inhabitants visual refuge

imaeg © andrea martiradonna

perfectly cast concrete is in dialogue with the light-reflecting water and reflective glazing

image © andrea martiradonna

the home creates a typology of layered spaces that visually obliterate the landscape and create new, tectonic spaces

imaeg © andrea martiradonna

(left): interiors are an interplay of recess and void (right): lighting articulates the stark facets

image © andrea martiradonna

the warm yellow glow of the interiors enhances the anthracite mix concrete

image © andrea martiradonna

night view

image © andrea martiradonna

project info:

studio: matteo casari architetticity: urgnano (bg)designers: arch. matteo casari and arch. valentina giovanzanicollaborators: silvia previtali, raffaele rotastructural design: chiappa ingegneri associati client / owner: privateintervention type: new constructionintervention use: residentialwork size: 350 square meterscost: 550.000,00 €cost / sqm : 1,570 € / sqmcontracting companies: nuovo modulo s.p.a. – elettroimpianti med – s.a.vi.m. –