Villa San Valentino / Architekt Stephen Unger

© Courtesy of Architekt Stephen Unger

Architects: Architekt Stephen Unger
Location: Merano, Alto Adige, Italy
Architect in Charge: Stephan Unger
Assistant: Wolfgang Höllmüller
Site Manager: Martin Geier, Franz Derntl
Client: Dr.Erich Höller
Engineering: Gerhard Derntl
Project Area: 400 sqm
Project Year: 2006-2008
Photographs: Franz Derntl, Ann-Brigit Hiiller, Fokus Vinschgau, Fokus Etschtal, Ganther Stockklauser


Task
Planning of a bi-familiar house on high architectonic level for the cohabitation of 3 generations with common spaces.
Idea
To create a monolithic house with common spaces, under whose roof two independent habitation units are unified.

plan 02

© Courtesy of Architekt Stephen Unger

Orientation
Considering the orientation of the views.
The east-wing is looking towards Valle d’adige and the west-wing Val Venosta.
Design
The form answers to the characteristics of local mountains and its three-dimensional facade to the path oft he sun. The windows and the shadings are positioned such way, that the energy balance is optimized and the panorama is introduced in picture frames.

© Courtesy of Architekt Stephen Unger

Appearance
A modern house with a traditional dressing : The larch-wood shingle façade is representing the traditional craft of the Alps-region Upper Adige.
Interior
The chosen materials are typical for the place: marble of Lasa, porphyr, granite, wood of the larch and the oak.

section 02

Sustainability

• The standards of “Casa Clima” under respecting the local climate conditions
• The use of high quality materials with long duration
• The characteristics of the landscape
• The local traditions of craft and building typologies
• The use of local recourses and natural materials
• The use of renewable energies (groundwater, sun)
• The personal needs and demands for the families
• The orientation of the sun-path
• The introduction of the landscape as panorama views