Condominio Venere Residential Building

Situated on a gently sloping site in the municipality of Valdisotto in Alta Valtellina, a state-of-the-art Class A4 residential building has recently been completed. Spanning four levels – three above ground and one basement floor – the structure embodies sustainability. Inspired by the morphology of the site and the neighboring buildings, the architectural forms of the complex, called Condominio Venere and designed by Andrea Pedrana, were conceived with the aim of breaking free from the classical canons of mountain architecture, while maintaining a dialogue with what is already built around it. 

With a contemporary yet contextually sensitive approach and the use of natural materials such as fir and larch, the new building, realized by construction company Bracchi, emphasizes its harmonious integration into the surroundings, a design choice that is also a nod to the importance of the timber industry in these parts. Ultimately it is this material, used both for the façades and the window frames supplied by Falegnameria Aresi, that most characterizes the appearance of the building. In a project such as this one in Valdisotto, where prefabrication, modularity and a circular vision of resources are key elements, the support of a company like Falegnameria Aresi with over 40 years of experience made it possible to find the most efficient and esthetically consistent technical solutions for the architects’ design, such as the Professionale 92 line of windows and doors in glued laminated Swedish pine. The overall goal was to create a durable and resilient building with fine finishes and materials – glass and iron in addition to wood – that would require only minimal maintenance to remain in pristine condition. 

Condominio Venere was also designed for low energy consumption by incorporating numerous sustainable solutions, such as the use of a geothermal system for winter heating and the installation of photovoltaic panels on the gray tin roof to generate electricity. Each floor has four residential units, making a total of 12 apartments, while the basement contains cellars and parking garages. A large staircase and elevator shaft, integrated into the building’s silhouette, are used to connect all the sections both vertically and horizontally. While maintaining an overall regular floor plan, the architects were able to add dynamism to the façades through the use of balconies and walkways, as well as other non-structural wood elements that project from the structural aspects. The resulting crisp, segmented geometric lines are at the heart of the esthetic effect, making the complex iconic and recognizable.