Petricore describes the scent of freshly fallen rain, evoking the freshness and regeneration of nature. The concept perfectly encapsulates the essence of the architectural project, as the building is located in the Piedmont Alps in a setting of incredible beauty.
The building is located in the Piedmont Alps, in the beautiful setting of the high Valle Cenischia, almost at the border with France, at an altitude of 1370 meters above sea level. Positioned on a hill surrounded by a majestic forest of Scots pine trees, the connection between the architecture and the surrounding nature is evident, especially when the rain wets the ground, emanating the unmistakable scent of petrichor.
The volume of the house was designed by architect Anita Tournour Viron with the basic idea of wrapping around like a hug the centennial tree at the center of the land. As in her various architecture projects, the finishing materials were carefully chosen to express simplicity and essentiality. The metal roof recalls the tones of the sky during spring storms, while the colors of the plaster reflect the shades of the taupe gray of the pine bark and the green of the lichens that cover the rocks around the house.
Large windows wrap around the building, allowing the sun to naturally heat the indoor spaces even during winter. These openings promote a continuous visual interaction between the interior and the exterior, with the landscape changing in colors following the flow of the seasons.
The interior spaces are designed to ensure maximum flexibility. Originally conceived as a holiday home, the residence has now become the permanent home for the family. The interiors favor the use of natural wood, complemented by light and neutral tones. To preserve the brightness of the rooms, there are no shutters, only blackout curtains.
The building is a NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building), constructed with a platform frame wooden structure. It features a photovoltaic system, a solar thermal system, centralized mechanical ventilation, and a wallbox for electric vehicle charging.
The orientation and layout of the building have been carefully designed to maximize solar energy utilization, making it highly energy-efficient.
