HOUSE IN CARABBIA - architeria.eu

House in Carabbia
Photographs by: Pino Musi

Carabbia is a little village of approx 600 inhabitants. It rises on the western side of
Mount San Salvatore slope in a beautiful bowl.

This house is characterized by the creation of clearly identifiable geometric structures
that delimit an organized development of the spaces. The underlying theme is the
establishment of a spatial relation between interior-interior and interior-exterior that
aims at the dilatation of the lived dimension.

The interesting lesson comes from the succession of Japanese gardens which show
a different awareness of the space through a sequence of sceneries and space
dilatation. It is as if it were possible to experience a domestic atmosphere and, at
the same time, to project one’s own perception on a geographic scale. This building
responds to the owner’s wish to live in an intimate space, as if it were a shell.

Carved in a clear square geometry, the spaces meet the slope and extend in a spiral -
fluent movement that constantly changes the perception of the space and its relation
with the exterior, offering privileged views towards the beautiful landscape of the
region. This small house (13x13m) stands for a sequence of experiences condensed
in a continuous space that gives a sense of protection and, at the same time, of being
projected into the landscape. The sloped roof that follows the inclination of the land is
a reaction of building on the will side proposing an organic language instead of a urban
one!

Facts:

> Buyer: Family BOTTA
> Realization: 2005 - 2007
> Architects: DAVIDE MACULLO - Lugano - Switzerland
> Collaborators: LAURA PEROLINI - Como - Italy, MICHELE ALBERIO - Como - Italy
> Engineer: IDEAL INGEGNO SA - Vezia - Switzerland
> Physical engineer: FRANCO SEMINI - Lugano - Switzerland
> Project manager: DL Direzione Lavori - Lugano - Switzerland