< Palazzo Bolchini , Milano Vista interna ed esterna del portico fronte Piazza Meda con la scultura di Arnaldo Pomodoro / Internal and external view of the portico facing Piazza Meda , with the sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro
> Zitella Tavolini in Cimento ® in due varianti dimensionali / Cimento ® coffee tables in two dimensional variations
Photo © Alberto Strada
Photo © Alberto Strada
The intimist character of architecture
T he sketch in your website tells us about an ideal relationship between man and natural light with a few strokes . Would you like to tell us about it ? Architecture cannot be separated from the natural light , an essential element for the human being . The project is a light control tool , as it filters it , protects us from it , and excites us . And then , it also regenerates it , regulates it , and adjusts it to the natural situation of the site . The light transforms the perception of spaces throughout the day and the seasons , each time it accentuates the contrasts , and creates a number of shadows that highlight the voids and reliefs , sculpting and creating form . For these reasons , the natural light is the first element of the project . On the other hand , the artificial light only takes over at dusk and it supports human life , not replacing nor imitating the natural one . “ How charming it is ! The uncertain and delicate light that steals in and lingers in our rooms , similar to the last glow of the sunset ! This pale glow , or rather dim shadows , far surpasses any other ornament for me . I will never tire of contemplating it ” ( Junichiro Tanizaki , In praise of Shadows , published in Italy by Bompiani , p . 42 . The Italian translation of the Japanese text differs slightly from the English one , translator ’ s note ).
Staying on the theme of the natural light , I find that the relationship between the latter and your work is very evident . I am thinking of the T House or the Zitella collection , both shaped by the incidence of light . What do you think about it ? Light is a fundamental element for design , it is a tool through which we can give life to the architecture . In our studio , there is a constant research on the relationship between the architectural artefact and the natural light . When designing , for example , a new house , we are primarily looking for the best way to let natural light into the rooms : we can flood the spaces with light and fill the architecture , or illuminate the volumes through cuts and openings that measure and calibrate their passage . For the T House – a restoration project of a restricted building with pre-existing and non-modifiable openings –, we worked above all on the internal surfaces of the rooms : on walls , floors , and ceilings . We have tried to make them as much tangible as possible , so that the light literally “ ripples ” in them , generating refractions that are always different as the hours pass . Thus , the light becomes a measuring element associated with the relationship , even the emotional one , of people with things , facilitating the interaction with the built space . The light also has great importance
in our design projects : the Zitella product is an element made of Cimento , an innovative material that gives shape to a full and soft volume : in this case , the encounter of light with the vibrating tactility of the material surface returns a sculptural definition of the form .
A similar approach , but in some ways opposite , applies to the AA House . Thanks to the lighting , at night the large square volumes take on lightness and seem to be flying . Is that so ? The AA House was designed starting from an intimist concept of architecture . The plot in which it is located , in a suburban area , had on the one hand interesting views of the surrounding green hills to be enhanced , and on the other the opposite view towards the
Pillola , Firmamento Milano
Photo © Marco Menghi
INTERVIEWS / LUCE 334 23