Studio + living space + production located on the outskirts of a village, surrounded exclusively by other artisanal business

Architects: stifter + bachmann
Location: Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol, Italy
Year: 2016
Area: 5.629 ft²/ 523 m²
Photo courtesy: Oliver Jaist
Description:

“A former artisanal enterprise with a small production hall and adjoining service wing for administration and a company apartment was revitalized and converted for use as a studio + living space + production. The site is located on the outskirts of a village, surrounded exclusively by other artisanal business but directly adjacent to meadows and fields.

Rather than tear down the not-very-attractive 1980s building, the architects opted to incorporate it into their new concept. The ground and first floors were dismantled down to the support structure, keeping the façade openings and the staircase, and the full storeys were added on top. Levels 0 and +1 serve as a studio, while level +2 and +3 are designated for residential use.

The old production hall was renovated with little effort and has resumed its original function. Enveloping both the preserved building sections and the new volumes over all four storeys is a curtain wall of transparent corrugated plexiglass sheets. This second skin provides additional insulation as well as protecting the unfinished façade insulation of cement-bonded wood panels from the elements. Through this outer shell, pleasantly diffuse daylight enters the rooms, with sliding elements allowing the degree of privacy to be regulated at will.”