SENIOR CITY Cortina d'Ampezzo - COMPETITION | STUDIO NUVOLA

This project develops the idea of three pure volumes placed on a common platform. They define spatial and social relationships, generating an environment respondent to psychological, cognitive and emotional needs of elderly, at the same time blended with the landscape and recognized as home. Functional program has required common facilities placed in a basement that is merged with the topography, plus 30 dwellings of 50m2 each -for single or couples- gathered in three house-shaped blocks. Distribution of activities fulfills the challenge of realization in two phases, responding to the necessity of a finished look since the first stage and minimum impact on residents during the construction of the second lot. Considering the peculiar location of the site, dwellings and common spaces are oriented towards the landscape characterized by the presence of majestic mountains. Volumes above ground have been designed with similar proportions and shapes of surrounding buildings, in order to achieve the minimum visual impact. The main aspect that has been taken in consideration is the sense of comfort perceived by users. Transparency and wide perspectives towards the inside facilitate the approach and make the composition of the entrance reassuring for both elderly and families. Common facilities, distributed on the ground floor along a main axis -in order to enhance orientation-, stretch inside the blocks as green vertical connections and spaces for random encounters. Winter-gardens work hence as vertical connections, creating hybrid spaces of relax and socialization, as extensions of the apartments. In terms of construction, the choice was to adopt x-lam cross laminated timber for the single blocks of dwellings, while reinforced concrete for the basement with local stone cladding for exterior finishing. About the interiors: matt surfaces, warm materials and total accessibility foster a sense of hospitality and cosiness, facilitating the process of colonization.