The building is the result of a project by Studio Plan Común, which has transformed a small multi-occupancy residential property into a contemporary complex comprising five dwellings and a shared rooftop greenhouse.
The project, initially conceived as an extension of the existing building facing the street, underwent a substantial revision during the design phase. The fragility of the ground and the structure led to the decision to demolish the section facing the street to ensure greater structural integrity for the project.
The construction stands out for its simplicity: a cast-in-situ concrete structure, joist and hollow-brick floors, facades of reclaimed bricks, and internal partitions of concrete blocks. A minimalist and rational choice that defines the project’s identity.
Although planning regulations permitted the construction of a four-storey building, the designers limited the height to three storeys. This decision was made to preserve the natural light reaching the surrounding buildings and, at the same time, to create a communal space on the roof.
The layout of the spaces, in fact, prioritises the communal aspect: a sequence of shared, unheated areas accompanies the access to the flats on all levels. The system culminates on the roof, where there is a 68-square-metre greenhouse, flanked by a communal kitchen and a laundry room, and a 40-square-metre green terrace.
The layout of the spaces prioritises the communal aspect: a sequence of shared, unheated areas accompanies the access to the flats on all levels. The design culminates on the roof, which features a 68-square-metre greenhouse, flanked by a communal kitchen and a laundry room, and a 40-square-metre green terrace with unobstructed views of the urban landscape.
For the greenhouse, OndaPiù 76/18 6mm clear polycarbonate sheets were used, creating a lightweight structure that performs well in terms of thermal efficiency and solar gain. At night, when illuminated, the structure transforms into an evocative urban lantern, capable of redefining the building’s image within the surrounding landscape.
