LT House

The project involved the construction of a family home for two Scottish artists and their children that would be both a refuge and an open space in relation to nature. The plot of land on which the house is located is situated along the Adriatic coast of Apulia, on a hill overlooking the sea between the towns of Monopoli and Polignano a Mare. The project is the result of an analysis and interpretation of the place characterised by the duality of elements, one of a "Physical" type at ground level, in direct contact with the surrounding Mediterranean landscape, and one of a "Metaphysical" type, high up with a view of the sea and the horizon, which refers to an indirect contact with nature, inviting moments of inner reflection and meditation. The design process begins with a simple volume, an archetype of Mediterranean architecture, which splits vertically, creating below an empty and open space towards the outside aimed at maintaining physical and direct contact with the context, while above a closed volume, emphasises with precise and targeted views, the indirect contact with nature outside, abstracting and referring to a vision of the inner world. The concrete plinth, very compact to limit the footprint on the ground, contains the functional elements of the dwelling such as the swimming pool, water tanks and technical compartments, and acts as a podium to the building above, inserting and integrating it into the context. The white colour of the external plaster and internal limestone cladding contrasting with the black of the structural parts creates neutral spaces and backgrounds suitable for displaying the works of art. Finally, to respond to the principles of sustainability and environmental compatibility, the house adopts high-efficiency active systems, which guarantee minimum energy consumption during use, and passive systems, such as the envelope made with dry construction techniques, with recycled steel and easily disassembled elements that guarantee the recycling of materials at the end of their life cycle.