Maurice & Enrico Cerasi

CASA VILLAZZI

Milanino, Italy

Villazzi Hous is located near Milano in one of the area's most importat garden cities. Due to its designation as a protected area, an analysis of the site was undertank before planning the design.
Rather than imitating the preexisting architectural elements of this garden city, the architects chose to reinterpret them, elaborating on a languange that respects the character of this historic area. The house's body had to be adapted to the structure of a residence built in the 1950s . This articulation is seen in both the facades and the various levels. Unification of volumes and treatment of finishes between the new and old structures was not attempted. ight gray cement and marble powder plaster are set against cement plaster in yellow quatz paint - the smooth surface treatment of the former contrasting with the horizonal grooves of the latter.
Built in three years, the hous has six levels and a surface area of more than 4304 ft. The conservation of the corridor and wooden stairway in the center of the house prevented the creation of an interior perspective from the street to the garden and necessitated a more traditional interior distribution throughout the house. Access is gained through an entrance courtyard, which is set just below street level and covered by a pergola. The lime trees along the street tastefully accentuate the elegant neoclassical facade.
The formal result has recours to the language of the classical past with references to Hellenic architectur, and recaills such masters as Palladio or Schinkel, nullifying the rigor imposed by the original foundation.