Turning the corner_House P

TYPE Residential, Renovation, Interior, Extension
STATUS Commission, Built
LOCATION Sexten, Italy
YEAR 2024
CLIENT Private

DESIGN TEAM Eva Castro, Carolina Forer, Ulla Hell, Holger Kehne, Peter Pichler, Chuan Wang
PHOTO CREDIT Florian Jaenicke

Nestled within a row of 1970s townhouses—whose once-uniform facade has grown increasingly heterogeneous over decades of incremental densification—this corner unit is set to expand with an additional residential unit. Originally a single-family dwelling, the existing structure was previously adapted to accommodate a second independent apartment through attic conversion and upper-floor modifications. Now, with this latest extension, the home completes its transition into a multi-family residence.

A Bold Yet Contextual Intervention
Positioned at the eastern edge of the row, the building capitalizes on its corner lot with a striking gesture: an asymmetrically lifted roof and strategic openings that frame panoramic views while honoring the typology of an end-unit row house. The design carves out a distinct identity—one that harmonizes with the patchwork streetscape while enhancing livability within a dense urban fabric.

Accessibility as Design Driver
The spatial layout responds sensitively to the homeowner’s mobility needs following an accident. Barrier-free living is treated not as a constraint but as an integral design feature: doors swing in optimal directions, carefully calibrated railings ensure views from any vantage point, and rooms flow seamlessly without obstructions. A discreetly placed elevator—neither an afterthought nor a technical eyesore—is woven into the home’s architecture as a natural vertical axis, connecting levels without compromise.
The challenge of integrating the elevator invisibly yields elegant solutions. The first expansion level houses bedrooms, while the top floor unfolds as an open-plan living and dining area, celebrating its southeastern exposure with soaring ceilings and a fully dissolvable facade. Subtle details—window orientations, spatial configurations—address specific needs without overt declarations.

Articulating Old and New
The dialogue between existing and added volumes remains legible: a vertical timber slat facade sheathes the new structure, overlapping subtly with the original building. Steel railings on the new balconies transition from solid to transparent via rotated flat bars, ensuring unobstructed sightlines even at lower heights. This principle extends to the external staircase, which doubles as a sculptural element and a delicate continuation of the railing system.

Fluidity and Warmth Within
Inside, interconnected rooms create an airy, permeable atmosphere. Wood dominates, lending warmth and tactile richness, while expansive glazing frames dramatic views, blurring the line between interior and landscape. The top floor, free of full-height partitions, emphasizes the dynamic curve of the doubly pitched roof, which lifts toward the vistas. A spacious terrace extends the living area outdoors, offering sheltered yet open panoramas of the Dolomites, the village, and the valley—effectively making the scenery part of the home.

Sustainable and Prefabricated
The extension is a prefabricated timber construction with solid wood walls and plank-laminated ceilings. Exterior walls dissolve into triple-glazed apertures as they rise, maximizing natural light and connection to the surroundings. The building taps into the local district heating network and includes a PV system, with wood fiber insulation completing its eco-conscious profile. A project that proves density and livability—and accessibility and elegance—need not be mutually exclusive.