Interior Spaces Special Mention

With a width of just five metres, the challenge of this project was overcoming the restrictions of a narrow site. It was essential to take advantage of the elongated nature of the plot.

The front part of the existing house was true to the character of traditional townhouses, while the back rooms were later additions with no intrinsic value. These rooms were therefore replaced with a new extension. Having no internal courtyard/shaft the central area of the house, it was essential to introduce natural lighting. With this in mind, a glass floor was designed on first floor. This gave the possibility to introduce direct sunlight into the central part of the house in winter, while outdoor cantilevers were designed to exclude sunlight in summer. The skylight in turn gives the ground floor an open feel, creating visual connection between floors. The internal space changes with every season, with the different light pattern and the changing landscape outside. In the main bedroom an internal courtyard provides cross ventilation as well as giving another green perspective. The perforated staircase allows for more natural light to reach the ground floor spaces, with playful shaddows.

Photos: Tonio Lombardi for Homeworks magazine