Not a Rural House: A Vernacular Exterior Hiding a Contemporary Spirit

In the field of contemporary architecture, it’s not unusual to encounter projects that challenge conventions as well as building codes, turning those constraints into opportunities for creativity. In San Giorgio in Bosco, in the Italian province of Padua, AACM – Atelier Architettura Chinello Morandi has designed Not a Rural House, a residence that’s a prime example of leveraging building ordinances as a catalyst for design.

Not a Rural House: turning code constraints into opportunities

Central to the project is an Italian building code that requires new structures to reflect local heritage by adhering to the forms and heights of existing historic rural structures. This has led to the creation of a contemporary dwelling that dons the guise of a traditional rural house, while its interior unveils its true nature.

Not a Rural House has transformed this constraint into an interplay of contrasts between appearance and substance, artifice and authenticity. The exterior has the look of a traditional rural structure, with a silhouette that evokes Italian vernacular tradition. Upon entering, however, the interior unveils a modern sensibility, with reinforced concrete framing and exposed timber beams declaring its contemporary character.

A spatial narrative inspired by Palladian architecture

Inside, the project draws on the proportions of Palladian villas in Venice, creating a modular rhythm that infuses the spaces with both coherence and fluidity. The different areas unfold in a sequence of solids and voids, while offering views of the surrounding countryside enhanced by abundant natural light through extensive glazing.

Material contrasts between timber – used for the ceiling, floors, and window frames – and the exposed concrete of the structural framing, complemented by an internal metal staircase, create a harmonious minimalist environment that captures the unhurried and contemplative essence of rural living.

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 Cover image by Lorenzo Zandri, courtesy of AACM - Atelier Architettura Chinello Morandi