A recent post over at Atelier-A+D highlighted a house that employs a clever stair-roof structure to reclaim the rooftop as usable space. It reminded us of a house we studied back in school located on the Italian island of Capri. The house, Casa Malaparte, was designed by Adalberto Libera in 1937 and has since undergone restoration in the 80’s and 90’s. The structure is timeless, pure, and infectious. To think that a form of such forward thinking and ambitious siting was proposed and built in 1937 is fascinating to us. Even in 2008 on the frontier of modern civilization, architecture of this caliber is rarely seen. What stops something this poetic from being realized in our culture today? It certainly isn’t lack of technology, wealth or geography – we have an abundance of these here in the Pacific Northwest. Could it be resistance from the general public and skepticism of modern (unfamiliar) design, the impossibility posed by building codes and community reviews, lack of talent, confidence and discipline among us architects? Either way, work of this nature seems very achievable (it’s a rather dumb structure after all) and yet it is unrealized.
A rooftop scene from the 1963 film Contempt (Le Mépris) directed by Jean-Luc Godard
Everything about the structure and position seems intentional, each window frames a specific view.
There are exactly 99 steps from the sea to reach the house.
Drawings from Marida Talamona’s book “Casa Malaparte”
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Really good article… this house it is a good architecture example that takes the “place” in a particular and not usual way. it is interesting to see that Libera don´t project a beautifull house in a usual way that today´s architecture, but it is really architecture´s masterpiece.. Not beauty in composition sence but as architecture.
Comment by pABLO dÍAZ August 15, 2008 @ 11:31 amThanks for this material…
Pablo
I would like to just note that most scholars today do not attribute the bulk of the design to Libera, but to the house’s original owner, Curzio Malaparte. Although Libera began the design, it was Malaparte in collaboration with a local stone mason that ultimately should be given credit for it’s design.
Comment by carter November 21, 2008 @ 7:27 amGood to know, thanks for the insight Carter.
Comment by buildllc November 21, 2008 @ 9:33 ami’m a miami dade colege student i was wondering if there is any way u can provide me infos on where i can get floor plans,sections and all that i got casa malaparte model to build and drawings to do for my final project in desin 3,i can’t ind anything as in blue prints ,lease help.
Comment by samantha November 24, 2008 @ 2:45 pmsamantha_acm@yahoo.fr
Samantha – the plans, sections and elevations in this post are as complete as anything we’ve come across. They are all from Marida Talamona’s book on Casa Malaparte, which is very thorough. Follow the link above to purchase it.
Comment by buildllc November 24, 2008 @ 3:13 pmThis house is beautiful. =)
Comment by Jayson December 2, 2008 @ 7:15 ami am currently working on it in my 1st period Architectural class. this is my 2nd time working on it..snapped!