Casa LL: An Interplay of Geometries in the Bologna Apennines

Located at an altitude of 750 m in Roncastaldo, a small village in the Bologna Apennines, Casa LL is a compact volume defined by linear geometries that establish a dialogue with its natural setting. The combination of its geometries and monochromatic black surface gives the house, designed by LADO architetti, a distinctive character that makes it stand out against the surrounding landscape.

The project, which replaced a 1970s building, grew out of a careful study of current regulations affecting the site’s morphology to preserve the historical memory of the place. The reconstruction of Casa LL has resulted in a geometric volume that reinterprets the classic sloping roof, typical of homes in the Apennines.

Technology for sustainability

The house comprises two separate volumes connected by a metal portico that leads to the garage. Besides being functional, the portico also dialogues with the setting through a metal trellis for climbing plants that both reduces the home’s visual impact and helps it merge into the landscape. The outdoor areas feature permeable materials, such as gravel drainage and stabilized earth, avoiding any abrupt separation between the residence and the ground, and maintaining an ongoing and direct connection between the two.

From a construction standpoint, Casa LL embraces cutting-edge technologies to achieve sustainability. Laminated timber flooring and CLT walls create a lightweight structure that adapts to the site’s characteristics, while wood fiber insulation contributes to its energy efficiency. Completing this eco-friendly vision, photovoltaic panels charge a battery bank, while a rainwater harvesting system optimizes resource use.

An observatory dedicated to natural beauty

Centered on a neutral, understated color palette, the interiors have an essential aesthetic. The first level overlooks a valley through a large west-facing window, which allows natural light to fill the spaces and become a key element of the design. Upstairs, the layout of the two bedrooms and bathroom is designed to maximize functionality, with a minimalist design approach amplifying the sense of space.

Expansive glazed surfaces blur the boundary between inside and out, transforming the home into an observatory for admiring the natural beauty that surrounds it. Timber walls combine with linear geometries to give the interiors a sense of warmth and welcome, creating a home that’s an idyllic retreat in the heart of the Bologna Apennines.

Casa LL not only respects local building traditions but also reinterprets them through an essential design that is mindful of sustainability, addresses contemporary challenges, and honors the past.

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