FINALIST T YOUNG CLAUDIO DE ALBERTIS AWARD
Matteo Arnone
Casa Biblioteca
VINHEDO, SAN PAOLO, BRASIL 2016
Design year: from March 2013 to February 2014
Construction year: from June 2015 to November 2016
Architectural firm: Atelier Branco Arquitetura
Principal in charge: Matteo Arnone e Pep Pons
Project team: Andreas Schneller, Martina Salvaneschi
Client: Private
Structural engineer: John Biscuola (Biscuola Engieneering)
Foundation engineer: Sergio Ludemann (Ludemann Engieneering)
Systems engineer: João Claudinei Alves (JCF projetos e construções)
Formwork and joinery realization: Edivaldo Lourenço e Eduardo Lourenço
Site area: 5.500 sqm
Building area: 150 sqm
Total floor area: 200 sqm
Construction cost: R$ 400.000,00 (U$ 91.000,00)
Home has to be a reading spot, immersed in the lush vegetation of the site, and also a place for meditation, exposed to the placid and boundless tropical skies, a temporary dwelling between São Paulo and Campinas.
The Library House is on a steep slope, the section determines the resolution of the project. The floor line gives it a new profile, forming three large, liveable terraces. The roof line darts out laterally from the first retaining wall, to delineate an artificial horizon.
The concrete roof – a rectangular slab measuring 20×10 meters, 15 cm thick, supported by an octagonal frame featuring eight, slender pillars – characterises the indoor and outdoor areas and defines the different spatial features.
Access to the house is gained through a staircase that runs along the same axis. Internally there is one single rectangular room, surrounded by glass walls, which hosts all domestic activities. The three terraces, despite having the same depth, have different heights (from floor to ceiling) thus offering different living solutions. A similar approach led to the positioning of shelves and restrooms, which are to be found within the retaining walls. This way, the liveable space is free from any element that is unrelated to its design.
(Fabrizio Ballabio – abstract from the article for Casabella 882)