Earth Song

Aerial view of the site.

Project Details

• Project Name: The Earth Song
• Client: Cascina Adelaide di Amabile Drocco
• Project Type: Architectural and Landscape Design
• Principal Designer: Archicura - Dellapiana Bermond Architects
• Design Team: Ugo Dellapiana, Paolo Dellapiana, Francesco Bermond des Ambrois, Beatrice Tessore, Alessandra Paracchi, Andrea Zanero
• Contractors: Busca Fratelli Germano e Marino, Diano d'Alba
• Date of commencement of project: September 2002
• Date of completion of project: June 2004
• Location of site: Via aie Sottane 14, 12060 Barolo, CN, Italy
• Bathroom tiles: Ceramiche Del Conca
• Sanitary ware: Hatria
• Site Area: 6742,01 square meters
• Built-up Area: 1472,00 square meters
• Cost of Execution: 1,500,000 €

The volumes seem to be concealed within the folds of the earth.

The Project

The design addresses the extension of a vineyard set between a narrow neighborhood street and its branch in the valleys of Barolo.

The surrounding hills and natural context suggested the designers develop a volume completely covered by green soil.

The extension surfaces slope down to the ground, connecting the new volume to the existing site.

The main floor of this enlargement was arranged at a level 5.5m above the existing Adelaide farmhouse. The new volume thus approaches the existing one discretely yet powerfully.

The enlargement surfaces face the valley to the north with volumes 2.5m high.

The green roof is supported on a series of columns that scoop out usable space below them.

The green roofing moves away from the existing building, sloping down to the ground.

It hence creates a smooth joint between the new volume and the existing ground level, giving birth to a circular inner yard around which the volume expands itself.

View of the main column supporting one end of the green roof.

The main structure is covered with vegetal soil with different sheltering and waterproofing layers.

The glass walls, on the north facade, are supported by structures in metal alloys that are scarcely visible from the exterior.

Credits

• Text: Courtesy of the architect
• Photographs by Fiorenzo Calosso, Courtesy of the architect
• Compiled and edited by Manish Mehta