Location: Pietralba (2B)
Program: Design of a village house
General contractor: Private
Project management: Buzzo Spinelli Architecture / ISB, BET - structural engineers / SMI, BET - mechanical engineers
Areas: NET: 140 mÇ
Schedule: 2014-2016
Materials: In situ granite stone and tuff stone for roofing
Photography by: Serge Demailly

THE COMMISSION

The project is a confirmation of putting down roots for a family in Pietralba’s village. The architects’ ambition was to create a timeless house, pretending that it has always been there, passing from one generation to another.
Terms: Complete mission

THE BUILDING

The project is developed in Pietralba, the « stone of dawn » village of Haute-Corse.
A succession of dry stonewalls mould the hills creating a characteristic shape of Tenda mountains. Hugging the contours of the land, the project maintains in turn the topography, and sits on those stonewalls.

The architecture of the house works with the same respect for the site and anchors itself to it through a specific casing made of granite structural double wall where concrete is poured.

The access is on the upper part of the site and naturally progresses downwards following the three existing plateaux. Like a “pagliaghji” the tuff roofing echoes the vernacular constructions of the surroundings.

The villa itself is voluntarily introverted developing areas around patios bringing light to the heart of the house. The living room in this case is central, and the bedrooms gravitate around it as independent habitable units with a courtyard each.

The skylights impart a ceremonial atmosphere to the project, reflecting once again Pietralba’s soul.