House in Lottano

The project aims to restore a rural house dated the end of the 19th century, located in an Alpine hamlet that had been abandoned for almost a century. The concept is divided into three moments: the added volume, the south façade and the internal organization. The collapsed wing is then rebuilt with the same form but different essence, the new material is designed according to the texture of the existing one maintaining a continuous dialogue. Opposite, the crack that cut the façade, suggests to become a large window on which the reflections of trees show the hybrid nature of the spaces.

The village was inhabited until the mid-20th century, when social needs forced the inhabitants to move back down to the valley. This period retained the characteristics, with building styles and materials remaining those of tradition: stone and wood. The unique position of the house determines the character of this reality: this is the last house bordering the woods, projecting towards it and, in contrast, closing itself off from the rest of the buildings. The signs of time and lack of use are clearly visible: the smaller volume collapsed in on itself, the roof is unsafe and barely holds up. The stone perimeter walls of the main body are perfectly maintained, except for the south façade, facing the woods, appears divided in two, cut by a crack. The internal logs structure shows the effects of water infiltration. The intervention will therefore maintain the main structure, replacing the internal framework and the roof, and then restore the south façade, freeing up its profound vocation.

The entire intervention respectfully and complementarily interprets the existing rustic building and its relationship with the entire context, built and alpine. Of the existing building, the stone perimeter walls are retained, their load-bearing function is confirmed, and the material is maintained according to its original vocation. Inside, a metal framework is installed to replace the old wooden beams. The new volume is distinguished by the use of wood: the physical entity is unchanged but the material declares the age and identity of the intervention. The composition interprets the texture of the demolished ruin and the preserved building: the stone wall, the alternation of planks and laths is composed evoking the layers of stone and mortar. In this way there's no need of a sewing element. The boards from the old floor have been given a new lease of life in the composition of the new furniture, supported by lightweight iron structures.