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Rammed Earth Retreat with Scenic View Corridors

Author:
Robert Claude Gaspard
Rammed Earth Retreat with Scenic View Corridors
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Constructed with rammed earth and reclaimed brick, the design incorporates strategic view corridors that connect guests to the surrounding Umbrian landscape, creating an immersive retreat for relaxation and wine tasting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls enhance thermal performance and connect to local building traditions.
02
Reclaimed brick from site demolition promotes sustainability and resource efficiency.
03
Lowered building footprints minimize visual impact on the landscape.
04
Mono-pitch roofs provide effective water drainage and solar energy opportunities.
05
Carefully placed view corridors frame scenic landscapes while preserving privacy.

The Tili Wine Italy Guest Homes project is located in the beautiful region of Umbria, known for its picturesque hills and wine production. Designed with the concept of "Dolce far niente," or the pleasure of doing nothing, the project focuses on allowing guests to enjoy their surroundings at a leisurely pace. The layout accommodates various needs and preferences, providing spaces for both social interactions and personal reflection, all while highlighting a thoughtful balance between form and purpose.

Design Concept

The design centers on creating an experience rich in connection to the environment. By organizing spaces into distinct zones, the layout encourages movement and interaction among guests. This arrangement ranges from quiet areas for contemplation to lively communal spaces, ensuring that visitors can choose how they engage with their surroundings.

Materiality

Rammed earth is a significant material used in the project, linking it to local construction practices. This choice not only reflects regional tradition but also contributes to energy efficiency through its thermal properties. Reclaimed brick from the site’s previous structures enhances sustainability and showcases a commitment to reusing local resources rather than importing new materials.

Spatial Organization

The decision to lower the building footprints allows the structures to integrate more naturally with the landscape. This helps create a more understated visual impact from a distance. Mono-pitch roofs provide a simple yet functional design, supporting effective water drainage while also delivering necessary shading for the rammed earth walls, protecting them from the elements.

View and Connections

Carefully placed view corridors strengthen the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. These openings invite natural light and frame scenic views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. By minimizing less appealing sights, such as parked vehicles, the design maintains a focus on nature, allowing guests to feel immersed in a peaceful environment.

The wine tasting building serves as an organizing focal point within the site. It creates distinct areas while encouraging community engagement. Covered patios and landscaped courtyards extend the indoor spaces, offering inviting areas for guests to relax and connect with the outdoors. Each detail is purposefully designed to enhance the overall experience, ensuring that visitors can fully appreciate the beauty of the setting.

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

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