Foliage House

This project involves the reconfiguration and expansion of a rural building situated in the first periphery of L'Aquila on a steeply sloping and irregular lot, densely planted with oak trees.

The reproposal of the typological form of the hut and the successive offset between the two volumes, old and new, emphasises the diverse eras of their construction. In fact, the pre-existing two-storey structure with a half basement is the result of various expansions over time that denatured the original parti of the typical brick hayloft, whose main elevation is the only one to feature an open view toward the Gran Sasso mountains.

The expansion involved adding a new podium volume that restitches old and new, set in the north-west corner of the site.

The characteristic finishes of this element also give the project its name. This ruled plaster surface, coloured to reflect the nuances of autumn leaves, ensures the harmonious insertion of the home within its natural setting. The upper volumes, and the pitches of the roof, are instead finished in white plaster, making them look like extraneous elements sitting atop a base coloured to match its surroundings.