THE LEAF

The project involved the demolition and rebuilding of an agricultural shed for the area redevelopment requested by the Sibillini Mountains National Park Authority.

We were trying to find a natural organic form that would not seem invasive at around landscape, this research has led us to choose the symbolic nature element – THE LEAF.
The Leaf that leans gently on the ground, creating a natural shelter in the park. A simple arch placed diagonally between the four walls creates a unique space of balance between nature and architecture

So it becomes an integral part of a project with its sinuous shape between the vegetation and the natural landscape.

The leaf leans softly on the walls, the upper windows perceptually maintain a distance between the leaf that makes it seem suspended. During the evening, the perception is more evident, increasing the contrast thanks to the internal ceiling illumination

Inside, under the leaf, we find vast unique space, at some part with a double-height, and the diagonal arc that marks the big angular entrances.
From any point inside of the building, you can see the leaf in its complete form with its complex structure. The wide spans allow diffused light to get in while the direct light is being eliminated.

The materials selection take us back to nature, almost the entire building is made of wood. Glulam combined with steel structure.
The walls are formed by three types of panels to give maximum flexibility in its interior. The wooden walls are surrounded by a steel structure which helps to support the top of the leaf.

Also, the structure repeats the leaf composition, the arc represents “the stalk” and the cross beams the “veins”, the 50-meter Glulam arch is divided into the five parts connected to the other beams forming the skeleton of the leaf.

Supported on two points, a second metal structure was added to the walls and used to position the facade modules. This keeps the stability of the ground more steady and well balanced.

The diagonally positioned arch highlights the entrances creating a diagonal path and allows in the other two higher angles to divide the space into two levels, using most of the internal volume. However, the internal perception remains
a unique space.
The roof is coated with pre-oxidised copper to fit more into the landscape.

As in th,e nature leaves are designed to help plant nutrition via photosynthesis so photovoltaic panels are provided on building that allows the use of solar power for its own needs.
As well as the shape of the roof assists to accumulate rainwater guide it to the special deposits to be able to use it as greywater.

The life cycle of the building was also deliberated: everything is modulated in pieces, quickly assembled and eventually dismountable at the end of its life cycle, reducing time, costs and emissions to the maximum during construction.

 


 

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THE LEAFT

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