Italian studio Alberto Apostoli recently completed the Santa Caterina residencial complex in Verona, a city in the Veneto, northern Italy.
Santa Caterina Residence by Alberto Apostoli:
“Residence Santa Caterina has been recently inaugurated in Verona – an architectural housing design that has become an important part of the environment. The overall design is by Studio Alberto Apostoli. The innovativeness and modernity of the design are provided by the use of environment. The aim of the architect was to create a space which will be pleasant to walk through for residents. Houses and the environment should create a unique harmonious landscape. The architecture of the complex is composed of vertical elements, due to which the amount of living space gains volume and conceals the ground floor.
For the project, Alberto Apostoli used rigorous and simple elements that at the same time visually relieve the volume, such as stained glass windows. In total, three types of coatings (stucco, stone and green stratified laminate) are used in the project. The walls are faced with one material inside and outside to give the complex a unique, harmonious style. Combining the space inside and outside of houses thus gives an atmosphere of community. Home and street are also united by lighting, namely, the uniformity of installed lamps. The same idea integrates the lighting of trees and houses.
Studio Alberto Apostoli is also involved in the project of the park and lawns of the complex. It includes “hanging” gardens and ornamental hedges. Along the stone walkways the plants unique to the region has been planted. The complex is completely enclosed from the outside, internally the separation are provided by lawns, but not fences. A watchman-gardener, who live there, takes care of all the plants in the complex. The project also utilizes the best energy-saving technologies (solar panels and power plants) and the latest modern materials. All this creates a unique atmosphere without excessive luxury. According to the project, the houses are two-storey with a ground floor. The planimetry of the basement is simple and symmetrical.
The project includes 56 buildings of three types: 75, 150 or 225 square meters (about 8,000 square meters total). Each house has a special, unique style that is consistent with the general design of the residential complex. The complex is situated in a green area with well equipped footpaths. It is located near the city center (seven minutes by car). Total area – 35000 sq.m. The residential area take up 21,000 square meters, the park – 10,000 square meters. Parking capacity is 80 car spaces. The building area is divided into 8 blocks.”
