“GG Loop” Transformed Italian Family House Into a Modern Architecture Example

Revive the old, bring something back to life needs enormous talent and original vision, which architect Giacomo Garziano definitely doesn’t lack. He decided to renovate his parents’ home in the town of Altamura, Southern Italy. The house was built by Giacomo’s grandfather in 1950s and has been Cherubino Garziano and Rosa Giorgi’s home for 40 years. It also accommodates office of art collective Elephants and Volcanoes.

Architect established the practice GG-loop in Amsterdam, 2014, which takes projects within an international network. Their field of work is diverse, they work on video installations, urban planning, design, digital sculpture and so on. Giacomo Garziano began his project of the house with this practice, which he finished in October, 2015. His goal was to unify two disparate parts of the building and improve its energy efficiency.

A faceted red surface makes house’s façade geometric. By bringing third dimension designer could exploit contrast between light and shadow. Red color was chosen deliberately too, because it stands out from sky and the surrounding townscape. It’s in the spotlight immediately, captures viewers and becomes more than just a color, it transforms the building into a piece of art. From some angles façade seems flat and represents tranquility and from some angles it creates chaos with its geometric forms.

To create diamond shaped surface was used both solid panels and a render topcoat. The extra layer of insulation helps the building retain heat, reducing its energy consumption. The outer coating comprises a mix of plaster, paint and raisin, that’s why the building has its red glittery red finish; it changes color according to daylight from deep blue to golden.

Inside the house has been left almost as it was, just a small part of it was renovated. Like the outer surface, there’s a prevalence of geometric  shapes inside the building, walls are covered with honeycomb-like pattern, that integrates storage areas and furniture elements.

The project was divided into two parts: first part was to renovate the exterior and it was called “Gentle Genius”, second part was centered on interior, called “The Infection” because forms used in the building really looked like bacteria. Two parts together make “the seed of time” which is the union of conscious and unconscious.

Renewed design breathed life into the house and street and became landmark of the city. Architect could make one building’s boring life amusing. It won’t be bad for Tbilisi streets such architectural designs, which, I think, will make our town’s boring environment more interesting.

Author: Meri Khamkhadze