Back to the Garden!

The resources of our world are becoming limited compared to the growth of the population. Thus, we urgently need to rethink our relationship to nature. Back-to-the-Garden proposes a new reengagement with landscape, aims for balance between human needs and natural resources, and translates a new self-sufficient-style of living.

Located in Ballò, Veneto, Back-to-the-garden starts with a utopian vision to create paradise, a pleasant place where humans and nature live together in symbiosis and harmony. Therefore, the project proposes a new reengagement with landscape and creates balance between human needs and natural resources. In particular, the project aims to close the cycle of 5 elements: resources, energy, food production, mobility and life cycle. Resources: In order to have enough wood to construct the dwellings (40m3 wood/dwelling), a forest of poplar trees is planted surrounding the 92ha plot (growth rate 11.2m3/ha/year). Energy: to cover a household energy consumption of 3400kwh/year, photovoltaic solar panels are installed on the roofs of the dwellings producing around 1100Kwh/m2/year. Food Production: The project transforms an intensively mechanized monoculture landscape into non-mechanized small-scale productive gardens to ensure a healthy self-sufficient style of living for the inhabitants (287m2 cultivated land/person). Mobility: The project is connected to the Motorway-A4 and the High-speed-railway by a sustainable mobility system that connects the entire urban stripe Turin-Trieste and runs on solar energy. The project comprises 12 communities of 15 dwellings implemented in a ring system surrounding the ‘forum’ and the ‘communal house’. The Dwellings: The design of the dwellings is optimized to reduce its impact on the environment. The use of passive strategies such as the chimney effect and the veranda reduces the energy consumption during the summer/winter seasons. The project uses sustainable materials such as rammed earth and wood that are available on site reducing the building life cycle impacts. Moreover, the design of the dwellings follows the cycle of life: It enables to add new rooms according to the users’ needs and offers adaptability, flexibility and individuality. The project encourages social relations through communal work in the gardens. Also, through the implementation of communal spaces where the inhabitants could meet, celebrate and enjoy each other’s company.