Located in the alpine landscape above Unterinn am Ritten in Northern Italy, this residential project involves expanding an existing 1970s structure. Situated on a south-facing slope at an elevation of 990 meters, the new volume utilises the remaining building capacity permitted by local regulations to create a sensitive addition to the high-altitude site.
Site integration and topographic strategy
The extension is positioned below the original house, adjacent to an existing retaining wall to minimise site disturbance and visual impact on the rural landscape. By embedding the single-story volume within the natural terrain, the design follows the site’s contours and references the scale of traditional scattered farmhouses in the region. The primary structure and the new unit are interconnected below grade. This subterranean connection provides natural insulation, utilising the earth’s constant temperature to help stabilise the indoor climate and reduce exposure to alpine wind loads, while defining private outdoor circulation routes.
Environmental design and solar performance
The orientation of the addition to the south and southeast maximises natural light harvesting. To address the location's thermal challenges, the architectural response focuses on passive solar control through structural elements. A cantilevered concrete ceiling provides permanent shading that blocks high-angle summer sun, mitigating the risk of overheating. This same overhang allows lower-angle winter sun to reach the interior, contributing to the passive thermal load. The floor-to-ceiling glazing utilises high-performance envelopes to maintain the thermal barrier while facilitating a seamless visual connection to the Dolomites.
Materiality and resource localism
The material palette is defined by structural durability and regional resources. The exterior features exposed concrete and natural stone masonry, providing high thermal mass that helps stabilise internal diurnal temperature variations. Internally, the project focuses on low-carbon finishes and tactile quality. Interior walls have rough plaster tinted with local stone aggregates.
Local chestnut and oak are used for flooring, ceilings, and joinery; these bio-based materials act as carbon sinks and reduce the embodied energy associated with transportation. These natural textures are combined with smooth surfaces to delineate functional zones within the open-plan living area.
Through the strategic use of thermal mass, passive solar shading, and regional bio-based materials, the project creates a high-performance living environment that remains firmly connected to its alpine geographical context.
