Tripartition - Carpi, Province of Modena, Italy – December 2019
Renovation key factors:
The design mainly focus on the renovation of the existing ‘tripartition’ home. In carrying out with the theme ‘sustainable design’, it is proposed to keep the existing floor slabs and main structural walls, thus striping out the home to its basic structure with major changes to the existing openings. Additional beams are introduced to provide large open spaces in the proposed home. New proposed home highlight the existing three part volumes and its unique existing features, such as the spiral staircase and ‘vertical forest’. Public spaces located in the south and the private spaces located in the north, separated by the ‘glass bridge’ makes the three part volumes.
Architecture:
I. Unconventional Living Space: Due to limited views and vistas, this home is design as a courtyard house and all the spaces in the home are linked through the main first floor courtyard. Co-living shared areas are connected through double and triple high cut-out spaces and glass ceiling between floors and private space are linked through ‘vertical forest’ terraces.
Due to recessed nature of the existing ground level, this space is used for more secluded private wellness and relaxing areas and home theatre. This level opens into the front terraced garden and connected to first floor pool/ waterfall and to the outdoor terraces through glass ceilings. Through the entrance lobby at ground level, one is able to directly access the first floor through the featured spiral stair way or glass lift. Living, dining, and kitchen and the main courtyard level are located in the first floor, as this provide privacy due to elevated level from the road. Bedroom and study/work is located in the second floor. First floor living spaces are connected to second floor study and work spaces through double high spaces. Upper level was added to the existing home, mainly because a higher level has a better view with complete privacy required by the master suite. Additionally, the ‘glass bridge’ consist of triple high void that links the whole home as one unit.
II. Modern elegance: Proposed design has transformed the existing home into contemporary multi-functional home. The existing spiral stair case is proposed to renovate as a modern steel zig-zag stairs with full steel plates and wooden railing. Existing ‘vertical forest’ is enhanced by introducing and staggering pergola outdoor terraces with planters. Due to simplicity and modern design, from light fittings to windows to finishes and furniture, this home is a timeless jewel that will sparkle for generations. Additionally this open plan concept will avoid the need for major future renovations due to its flexibility.
III. Natural elegance: The proposed design is mainly the existing home wrap with a rich ‘vertical forest’ terraces. In keeping with the 5m regulation, some of the pergola ‘vertical forest’ do protrude into the 5m. However, these are not usable floor spaces – just the skin of the house that protects from its natural elements. Enhancing the existing ‘vertical forest’ intends to create a micro-climate producing oxygen and humidity as well as absorbing CO2 and dust particles, protecting from radiation and acoustic and visual pollution. Due to existing orientation of the home, in order to obtain a good passive solar design, south volume terraces are staggered outwards at the centre courtyard to bring natural light and ventilation into the courtyard and exposed the southern sun into the northern volume. Furthermore, proposed home is sustainable with provision of additional wall insulation to existing walls as well as for the new walls. Use of weather strips in all openings, all glazing to be triple pane double low-e glazing, ventilation systems with heat recovery, use of LED lights, energy-efficient products, supply and extraction of natural air, rainwater harvesting and irrigation to the pergola ‘vertical forest’ systems, green roof, and use of PV solar panels will make this a unique sustainable home
IV. Living the nature: All the spaces are linked to the main courtyard. The south side public spaces are open in both sides and has floor cut-outs (voids) to encourage winter sun to wash the interior up to the north volume. The large pergola terraces on the south also cut direct the summer sun. All the windows are full high and most slide into the walls. All interior floor, wall and ceiling finishes are continued to external spaces, thus creating a seamless flow from interior to exterior.
Landscape:
The proposed design of the foot-print is less than the existing home, thus increasing the current garden area. Additionally, by levelling the two sides and the rear to the current floor level, surrounding landscape area ‘seems’ larger than currently seen. Front garden is a terrace landscape that allow the visitors to directly enter into the entrance lobby or linger in the green landscape with terraced steps.
The design comply with the 702 Sq.m within the four floors, including the usable terraces. This home includes below listed spaces.
1. ENTRANCE LOBBY
2. COAT ROOM
3. LIVING
4. FAMILY LIVING
5. DINING
6. OPEN KITCHEN
7. STUDY/ LIBRARY
8. MEETING/FLEXIBLE SPACE
9. FORMAL RELAXING
10. TWO BEDROOMS/WALK IN CLOSET/EN SUITE
11. MASTER BEDROOM/WALK IN CLOSET/EN SUITE
12. SPA AD WELLNESS RELAXING AREA
13. GYM
14. STEAM BATH
15. SAUNA
16. LAUNDRY AND IRON
17. STORE AND LUMBER ROOM
18. MECHANICAL ROOM
19. PANTRY
20. THEATRE
21. BBQ DINING
22. JACUZZI/POOL
