Project Name: House GM

Location: Rosà, Italy

Design Team: Didonè Comacchio Architects

Total Floor Area: 350 m²

Completion: 2025

Photography: Simone Bossi

Design Features:

Project -- House GM, designed by Didonè Comacchio Architects, stands as a masterful expression of visual permeability and material dialogue nestled in a residential neighborhood near Bassano del Grappa, Italy. This 350-square-meter single-family residence exemplifies sophisticated architectural restraint through its carefully curated material palette, redefining contemporary living in Italy's Veneto region.

The project's most compelling design achievement lies in its revolutionary "horizontal plate" design concept. The building is organized around a large horizontal "plate" that encloses interior spaces and shields them from outside view through the use of green patios and brick membranes of varying permeability. This distinctive horizontal element serves as both protective shield and spatial organizer, creating intimate connections between interior and exterior realms.

The architectural narrative unfolds through sophisticated vertical hierarchy, distributed over multiple levels with remarkable spatial intelligence. Above this base, two distinct volumes complete the upper part of the building: the larger one houses the sleeping area, while the smaller volume wraps around a rooftop solarium terrace, accessible directly from the bedrooms. This vertical hierarchy creates dynamic shadow play while maintaining the home's grounded presence.

The choice of materials is limited but deliberate, demonstrating contemporary design refinement. The main volumes of the house are made of smooth, exposed grey concrete. At ground level, between the structural supports, walls of large-format light bricks are laid almost dry and interrupted by openings framed in burnished metal. The window frames are designed to reveal only the glass in the fixed sections, highlighting only the operable parts, emphasizing the functional design of the façades.

The façade treatment demonstrates material honesty and aesthetic sophistication. On the east and west elevations of the first floor, this material interplay is echoed between the windows of the bedrooms. Inside, concrete is used again for the "suspended" wall of the staircase, this time with a polished finish that gently reveals the aggregates within. Walnut flooring connects with wide paneling and sliding doors, creating a warm contrast against the light grey walls.

House GM's defining feature is its orchestrated visual connectivity and spatial relationships. The layout encourages visual connections throughout the house: from the kitchen, one can glimpse the north patio across the living room; from the eastern portico, the central patio is visible through the kitchen's line of sight. The two green patios serve a dual purpose: they regulate natural light, providing a soft and controlled illumination, and offer visual privacy without sacrificing transparency. This strengthens the bond between architecture and nature, seamlessly integrating interior and exterior in a refined and balanced dialogue.

Design Team -- Didonè Comacchio Architects, established in 2009 by Paolo Didonè and later joined by Devvy Comacchio in 2013, has distinguished itself as a leading Italian practice renowned for its innovative approach to contemporary residential and public architecture. Based in Rosà, Vicenza, with operations extending to international projects, the firm demonstrates exceptional design excellence through a comprehensive portfolio.

Under the creative direction of Paolo Didonè and Devvy Comacchio, both IUAV graduates from 2007, the firm leads a dynamic multidisciplinary team including senior architects Rachele Cason, Mattia Pianezzola, Paola Menghetti, and Alberto Bovo. Their collaborative approach has yielded numerous prestigious recognitions, including multiple first prizes in national architectural competitions and international acclaim.

The firm's design philosophy centers on material authenticity, spatial continuity, and environmental sensitivity, creating architecture that seamlessly integrates with its contextual landscape. Their design methodology emphasizes rigorous material research, innovative structural solutions, and sophisticated spatial orchestration, consistently delivering projects that balance conceptual rigor with constructive pragmatism.

Notable achievements include the 2023 Premio Architettura Città di Bassano for House NF, finalist recognition in the Bauwelt Award 2023, and selection among Italy's "30 Best Architecture Firms" by Architizer. Their temporary educational structures post-2012 Emilia earthquake demonstrate exceptional crisis response capabilities, earning multiple competition victories. Didonè Comacchio Architects has established new paradigms in Italian contemporary architecture through a diverse portfolio spanning residential, cultural, educational, and public projects, demonstrating consistent commitment to sustainable practices and environmental sensitivity. Notable completed works include the award-winning House NF residence, new municipal hall projects, multiple school buildings, and cultural facilities, each showcasing the firm's capacity to address diverse programmatic requirements.