A New Way of Living in the Centre of Brescia

The rigorous and essential compositional language, together with the choice of materials, colours, and vegetation, takes centre stage and helps to define the character of the building, softening its contrast with the surrounding environment. The architecture is linear, with three types of openings that alternate in a misaligned and seemingly random way, but which are the result and expression of the interior of the housing units, simultaneously giving character to the façades. To make the project economically sustainable, the building was divided into two blocks, allowing for an initial real estate operation on the east side and subsequently on the west side. The reconfiguration of all the interior spaces also led to a restyling of the façades, with the creation of large windows and the addition of loggias and balconies that volumetrically define the building. Cutting-edge technological solutions have also been adopted to achieve the nZEB (nearly Zero Energy Building) classification. All apartments and shared areas are equipped with electrical and mechanical systems capable of adapting to a variety of needs.   This was complemented by an overall energy efficiency improvement which, through district heating, the use of renewable energy, and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery systems (MVHR) for the constant air exchange, has allowed the building’s environmental footprint to be reduced to zero. One year after the completion of the East Wing works, all 18 residential units have been sold, and DVArea is now designing the redevelopment of the West Wing, intended for residential use and services.