A hidden patio reveals geometric harmonies and clean cuts

In Northern Italy, studio Last renovated a house’s basement, adding a private, outdoor area: a space defined by concrete walls and a circular opening. 

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Axonometry.

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Plan.

Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Section.

Photo Marco Cappelletti

Underground Patio project by Last – design studio led by architect Stefano Larotonda – consists in the renovation of a house’s basement in Rovagnate, Southern Italy, and in the creation of a new access and an outdoor area.

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio. Photo Marco Cappelletti

The intervention involved the addition of new spaces in the basement and the dig of an opening in the house’s surrounding area. The aim was to connect upper and lower levels, and to accommodate a patio: an area of passage and conviviality, which allows light to enter inside the volume. 

Acting as an open–air room, this zone is characterised by geometric cuts and steep concrete walls enclosing the space and giving it a feeling of secrecy. A circular opening presides over the entrance, inviting you to pass through it and enter a private, hidden world.

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio. Photo Marco Cappelletti

The patio hosts concrete floors floating on the surface of volcanic gravel. The outdoor area leads to the house’s basement, a space transformed into a large hall, divided by wooden partitions allowing multiple spatial compositions. 

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio. Photo Marco Cappelletti

Wood and concrete are two recurring elements in the project and recall the colours of the surrounding mountains. Outer walls are covered with reinforced concrete, formwork with vertical wooden staves and then sandblasted, while the partitions inside are solid fir panels painted green, in a reference to the nature of the place. 

  • Underground Patio
  • Rovagnate (LC), Italy
  • Patio and private spaces
  • LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto
  • Arch. Andrea Tregnago
  • Eng. Marco Elosio Redaelli
  • Brusadelli Costruzioni, L’idroelettrica, Respedil, Caimi Angelo, Isacchi Arredi d’Arte, Viabizzuno
  • 2021
LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

Axonometry.

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

Plan.

LAST – Stefano Larotonda Architetto, Underground Patio Photo Marco Cappelletti

Section.