marx ladurner forms two concrete masses for residential complex in italy

architecture practice, marx ladurner architekten, has completed the ‘schlossgarten’ residential complex situated in the historic center of silandro in italy. the new concrete structure occupies a site where the old castle garden of the city was once located, and the architectural team were commissioned to design a building of the same name.

in order to create a building in corresponding scale to the surroundings, the architect divided the program into two smaller forms. the new structures are deliberately positioned in such a way that they do not compete with the neighboring buildings in the area. the floor plan is developed into a polygonal shape which is then reflected in the façade. to preserve the cubic effect of the overall form, the balcony areas are cut out of the volume on two sides, which also helps to break up the bulkiness of the concrete mass.

to emphasize the homogeneity of the building, the design utilizes a uniform façade material. a lightly colored concrete is specified which communicates with the glass elements of the parapets and the dark window profiles. sloping parapets of concrete are also employed to provide sheltered outdoor areas for each apartment. by considering the surrounding architecture of the area and using an earthy palette of materials, marx ladurner architekten has created a large residential complex that does not overshadow the historic center of silandro.