THE LEAF
Norcia, ITALY
The project involved the demolition and rebuilding of an agricultural shed for the area redevelopment requested by the Sibillini Mountains National Park Authority.
We were trying to find a natural organic form that would not seem invasive at around landscape, this research has led us to choose the symbolic nature element – THE LEAF.
The Leaf that leans gently on the ground, creating a natural shelter in the park. A simple arch placed diagonally between the four walls creates a unique space of balance between nature and architecture
So it becomes an integral part of project with its sinuous shape between the vegetation and the natural landscape.
The leaf leans softly on the walls, the upper windows perceptually maintain a distance between the leaf that makes it seem suspended. During the evening, the perception is more evident, increasing the contrast thanks to the internal ceiling illumination
InsideUnder the leaf we find vast unique space, at some part with a double height, and the diagonal arc that marks the big angular entrances.
From any point inside of the building you can see the leaf in its complete form with its complex structure. The wide spans allow diffused light to get in while the direct light is being eliminated.
The materials selection take us back to the nature, almost the entire building is made of wood. Glulam combined with steel structure.
The walls are formed by three types of panels to give maximum flexibility in its interior. The wooden walls are surrounded by a steel structure which helps to support the top of the leaf.
Also the structure repeats the leaf composition, the arc represents “the stalk” and the cross beams the “veins”, the 50-meter Glulam arch is divided into the five parts connected to the other beams forming the skeleton of the leaf.
Supported on two points, a second metal structure was added to the walls and used to position the facade modules.This keeps the stability of the ground more steady and well balanced.
The diagonally positioned arch highlights the entrances creating a diagonal path and allows in the other two higher angles to divide the space into two levels, using the most of the internal volume. However the internal perception remains
a unique space.
The roof is coated with pre-oxidised copper to fit more into the landscape.
As in the nature leaves are designed to help plant nutrition via photosynthesis so photovoltaic panels are provided on building that allow the use of solar power for its own needs.
As well as the shape of the roof assists to accumulate rainwater guide it to the special deposits for be able to use it as a grey water.
The life cycle of the building was also deliberated: everything is modulated in pieces, quickly assembled and eventually dismountable at the end of its life cycle, reducing time, costs and emissions to the maximum during construction.
ITA
La ricerca della forma dell’edifico è stata l’obiettivo principale, in quanto il progetto è inserito alle porte di Norcia nel Parco Nazionale Monti Sibillini. Si è cercato di trovare una forma organica naturale che non sia invasiva al panorama intorno. Questo studio ci ha portati quindi a scegliere l’elemento simbolo della natura LA FOGLIA.
La Foglia quindi si appoggia dolcemente sul terreno creando un riparo naturale all’interno del parco. Un semplice arco posto in diagonale tra le 4 pareti crea uno spazio unico di equilibrio tra Natura e Architettura.
La Foglia così diventa parte integrante del progetto inserendosi con la sua forma sinuosa tra la vegetazione e il paesaggio naturale.
All’interno della Foglia troviamo un unico vasto spazio in parte a doppia altezza: la struttura dell’arco ponendonsi in diagonale permette degli ampi ingressi angolari.
Anche i materiali ci riportano alla natura, Quasi tutto l’edificio è costruito in legno: Legno lamellare e struttura in acciaio secondaria.
Da ogni punto all’interno è possibile vedere la foglia nella sua completa forma e dalla sua complessa struttura. Gli ampi sbalzi permettono una luce diffusa al suo iterno e eliminano la luce diretta.
Le pareti sono formati da tre tipi di pannelli per dare massima flessibilità al suo interno. Nelle pareti è inserita la seconda struttura di acciaio dove appoggerà la copertura a Foglia.
Come in Natura le foglie aiutano tramite la Fotointesi al nutrimento dell’albero così nell’edificio sono previsti pannelli fotovoltaici che permetteranno di utilizzare l’energia ricevuta dal sole per dell’edificio.
La forma della copertura consente di recuperare l’acqua piovana e convogliarla in appositi depositi per porter utilizzarla come acque grigie.