On the first hillside slopes of Cesena, where nature takes center stage, stands House for an artist, an atelier-residence designed by Piraccini + Potente Architettura. Completed in 2022, the project accommodates the life and work of a renowned artist and designer within a building that combines vernacular roots with an ecological vision, reinterpreting in a contemporary key the archetype of the rural Romagna house.
The residence presents itself as a collection of simple, compact, white stereometric volumes, arranged over two levels with a double-pitched roof. This composition evokes the straightforward forms of farmhouses in the Forlì area, yet maintains a strictly contemporary and sustainable spirit. The entrance is through a glass and steel volume that reinterprets the model of winter gardens found in the “villa di delizia” of the Agreste, serving as a transparent diaphragm between the house and the artist’s studio.
The relationship between architecture and landscape is intense and carefully calibrated: the building integrates discreetly into the site, enhancing the natural context through thoughtful design that considers environmental impact and the morphology of the land. Sustainability is not just a formal aspect but the very foundation of the work. The entire structure is built with wood, using mineral and organic insulators; it is energy self-sufficient and produces zero emissions, entirely avoiding fossil fuel sources.
House for an artist reflects the studio’s design philosophy: just as vernacular architecture has adapted over time to environmental and climatic conditions, this residence also relies on intelligent forms and natural materials to achieve maximum comfort without environmental compromise. The building results from an integrated approach where sustainability, functionality, and beauty converge in a delicate balance. Every detail speaks a sober yet evocative language, where nothing is superfluous, and each element has a purpose.
This is more than just a house—it is a silent manifesto: here, architecture becomes a space for living and creation, capable of inspiring and respecting, protecting and revealing. A radically simple gesture that demonstrates how contemporary living can nourish itself from the earth and light without leaving destructive traces.
Piraccini + Potente Architettura is a studio based in Cesena, founded by architects Stefano Piraccini and Margherita Potente, partners in life and profession. Their research revolves around profound sustainability and functional beauty, with zero-emission buildings, advanced technologies, and strong attention to environmental comfort. Alongside their architectural projects, they engage in scientific, editorial, and teaching activities at the University of Bologna.
For more info: www.piraccinipotentearchitettura.com
CREDITS
Project: House for an Artist
Architect: Piraccini + Potente Architettura
Location: Cesena (FC), Italy
Year: 2022
Photograph: Francesco Montaguti
