The Casa MF exposed concrete house is located on a hill overlooking Trento. It stands between a residential area that is mainly characterized by single-family homes and a green agricultural area with forest. The residence extends to the northeast with a concrete shell that isolates the structure from the aforementioned urban area, while to the southwest it is completely open to the surrounding landscape. The abstract volume of the building fits into this rural context with simplicity and a kind of formal rigor. It is a horizontal structure emphasized by a dry stone wall sloping down to the valley floor.
Exposed concrete house with modern architecture
The structure of the building is a combination of two very material elements – one artificial, the other more natural. For this reason, the volume is reminiscent of a balancing act, as the shape maintains its balance over a slope. By modeling the property, this extends into two different areas - a private garden and a slightly more open green area.
The building also rests on the former and towers over the latter. From the street, the exposed concrete house presents itself primarily from the inside and is kept in a much more minimalist style. Solid concrete forms create a dialogue with the surrounding trees. These plant at different levels along the street, between the walls and in the garden.
The border wall represents a kind of “threshold” between a residential area and natural open spaces. Behind the wall you pass through a series of closed spaces that act as a “filter”. These ultimately open onto the surrounding landscape and valley through large glass windows.
The entrance gate accompanies you to another double height open space marked by a tree. This is surrounded by a heavy, suspended wall. This two-level characteristic continues in the main entrance hall.
Practically designed interior
The living area extends entirely over the first floor, and the exposed concrete wall that ends on the outside, which is also visible unchanged from the inside, seems to emphasize the permeability of the interior and the view to the southwest with its large glass. The walls look as if they hug the surrounding landscape.
An internal garden terrace around which the living area develops emphasizes both the need for a constant connection with nature and a series of different sequences, perspectives and lighting for the different spaces. The ground floor is intended for activities with direct access to the garden and swimming pool. This is a linear element that extends perpendicular to the building, is partially covered by it and extends towards the valley.
Structurally, the exposed concrete house consists of a back wall that extends through both floors. This also carries the load of the roof beams as if they were visible ribs, which in turn support the floating wing of the structure with a suspension.
The use of concrete, using large moldings, emphasizes the essential and linear aspect of the building and the “heavy” construction on the slope. Glass and greenery are the other two materials used as they stand out from the exposed concrete wall. These also create a series of pleasant contrasts between the built elements and nature.
