Blast: three houses

Three dwellings by the Milan-based architecture studio are distinguished by angular, parallel volumes that advance and retreat into the surrounding park, enhancing the interaction between interior and exterior.

Milan-based architecture studio Blast Architects has designed three independent, single family houses in Gallarate, Italy. Located amidst a park inside a historical villa, each of the houses is comprises three floors, including a basement. The dwellings are distinguished by angular, parallel volumes that project and retreat into the park. These connect occasionally at the first floor level, while the ground floors are separated by two pedestrian paths.

The idea of a single architectural solution gave a coherent character to the whole composition, while preserving privacy for each of the houses. The three compact volumes are held together by a "stripe" that runs from the roof to the terraces and balconies of the first floor, to then end at the ground level. This compositional "stripe" element is clad in Cardoso stone, while the outer walls feature a dynamic alternation between crisp glass surfaces and textured wooden brise-soleil panels.

With separate entrances, each residence includes parking spaces and storage rooms in the basement, with living rooms and bedrooms are respectively located on the ground and first floors. Large terraces and loggias are dug along the house's perimeter, and large windows project the living spaces towards the surrounding park, enhancing the interaction between the inside and outside.

Blast Architects, three houses in Gallarate, Varese, Italy 2012

The outdoor areas are designed to be subtly integrated within the existing park. The landscape design in front of the houses follows simple geometric lines, interacting with the three volumes, while the garden behind each of the dwellings assumes a more spontaneous character, blending with the historical natural context.

Blast Architects: three houses
Location: Gallarate, Varese, Italy
Site Area: 3,200 square metres
Gross floor Area: 990 square metres
Client: private
Completion: 2012
Architects: Blast Architetti (Simona Traversa and Luca Bombassei)
Team: Francesca Ciuffreda, Martina Pasolini, Luca Papis, Marco Orto
Construction supervisor: Franco Praderio
Contractor: Impresa Edile Introini S.r.l.

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