Scenic Modern Hones

Sliding Volumes is a residence in Paiania, designed for a family of four. It employs scenographic tools to establish multiple connections between indoor living and nature. Carefully planned pathways, conceived as walking routes, and large framing elements guide the gaze, creating a protected living space in direct relationship with the rural surroundings.

The owners' desire was for their daily life to be characterized by a sense of transparency, with direct access to the garden and unobstructed views from the interior. At the same time, privacy management was a key design parameter. Pedestrian and vehicle access from the street is integrated into the dark metal fencing and discreetly marked, defining the primary route toward the main entrance, which is accessed via a series of steps.

The trapezoidal shape of the plot guided the building's configuration into two main volumes that subtly slide past each other, defining the two levels that accommodate the functional program. A secondary volume on the ground floor houses the garage. The ground-floor volume, which features extensive openings along its perimeter, is painted in a dark shade to maintain a sense of transparency. It accommodates the spaces dedicated to the family's social life, maintaining a direct connection to the garden. The entrance leads into an open-plan dining, kitchen, and living area, with auxiliary functions concentrated in a core at the center of the layout, where the staircase to the upper floor is located. A secondary entrance is provided from the parking area, while a gym is also situated on this level.

The upper-floor volume, containing the private quarters and a secondary, sheltered living area, is painted white, appearing to hover above the ground. Its defining feature is the elongated south façade, designed as a frame, with white vertical louvers regulating sunlight and aiding in the natural cooling of the covered balcony. This private, elevated courtyard overlooks the garden while also offering uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape.

Special attention was given to the garden design, making it an integral part of daily life. The geometric path leading to the main entrance branches into a free-flowing, curving walkway, forming a loop that unifies interior and exterior movements while choreographing diverse experiences along its course. Visible from the dining and living areas, as well as from the upper-floor balcony, the garden is planted across its entire surface, creating both a sense of privacy along the plot’s boundaries and a green oasis within the residence.

Image Credit: Spyros Hound Photography