Home PE3: A Dialogue Between Modern Design and Historical Context

Architect Filippo Caprioglio's Award-Winning Residential House in Italy

Home PE3, a residential house designed by Filippo Caprioglio, draws its inspiration from the surrounding context, particularly the brick fortified walls of the historic medieval city of Cittadella. The use of brick as the main material, both inside and outside the house, serves as a distinctive element across all levels of the building. The alignment of the openings on the brick facades deliberately resonates with the elements that characterize the surrounding walls of the historic city.

Caprioglio's design is unique in its intention to create a new artifact that sets a dialogue with the surrounding context. This is achieved through the creation of a building characterized by two important walls covered with exposed brick, defining the elements that make up the conformation of the building. The house's footprint is approximately 500 square meters, with a ground and first floor level, and a basement for garage and cellar.

The realization of this design was made possible through a collaboration with the historic brick Company Terreal Italia SanMarco. A custom version of the MAAX brick was designed specifically for this house. The bricks were installed using advanced cladding techniques, leaving a ventilation air gap between the structure and the bricks to create a breathing wall.

The house offers flexible spaces that can vary according to the needs of the users over time. The project, from design to final realization, took almost three years, from 2018 to 2020. The research behind the design focused on analyzing all possible brick cladding technology and energy-saving possibilities through the use of green materials. The goal was to achieve great comfort and an "easy" constructive system that would guarantee a rapid, clean, and efficient construction method.

The creative process for this project followed two well-defined paths that converged in one unique result. The dialogue with the medieval walls of the historic city of Cittadella and the desire for sustainable green architecture were the two main challenges that were developed in the research to accomplish the final result. This design was awarded Silver in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2021, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation.

In conclusion, Home PE3 is a remarkable example of how modern design can harmoniously blend with historical context. Filippo Caprioglio's innovative use of materials, his commitment to sustainability, and his ability to create a dialogue between the new and the old have resulted in a residential house that is not only functional and comfortable but also a piece of art that pays homage to its historical surroundings.