D-House | Balance Architettura

The house is a residential building whose renovation project has substantially modified both the structure and the distribution of an existing building of the 70s. It is part of a residential urban suburb, close to the historic center of Borgo San Dalmazzo, a city of about 12,000 inhabitants at the feet of the Maritime Alps. We are about 8km from Cuneo and 20km from France. The plot, of approximately 1,350sqm, is perfectly positioned to the cardinal points. The house is close to the border on the north side. This fact,allows the development of the construction to the best exposed and sunniest area. The building “closes” towards the north (due to thermal and privacy requirements) and integrally “opens” towards the south. The northern façade, a part from one opening, is totally blind, while the southern façade is almost entirely glazed. The project and the construction had the goal to achieve high energy performance, made it possible through the the use of the sole electricity for its heating and cooling needs, with a very very low consumption. Access to the mansion takes place from a driveway within the garden, the gradual approach appears as a “promenade”and allows the discovery of the external parts of the house. The internal /external relationship is continuous. The project is an alternation of viewpoints between inside/outside and in continuity between the two states. There is the intention to accompany the outside of the house towards the interior, and to experience the interior spaces with the use of large sliding glass doors in continuity with the floor. Facades are ventilated walls in fiber cement panels. This material gives a heavy yet natural look to the building. The large-sized doors and windows are Schueco BS, with concealed frame. The roof cantilevered on the south and west sides allow shading in the hottest summer periods, and allow the coverage of a portion of the terrace and walkway. The first floor lugs are in wood and give a warm detail, in contrast to the more rigour of the fiber cement. The fences are high and with hedges, only the first floor can be seen, it is necessary to have access to the garden to be able to observe the house in all its dimensions.