LCA Architects has designed a project that is radically simple: Casa 4 is a home created for a couple who have chosen to live and work in direct contact with nature, interpreting architecture as a tool for ethical and environmental coherence.
The project stems from a long shared journey between architect Luca Compri and the clients, founded on a common vision of living: sobriety, rigor, and essentiality. In this sense, Casa 4 is not merely a house but a manifesto of comprehensive sustainability. The structure presents itself as a simple, compact, archetypal volume, free of any decorative embellishments and inspired by traditional Lombard farmhouses. Every design choice is pared down to essentials, with each detail serving a purpose: what remains is only what is necessary—nothing more.
The entire building—approximately 447 square meters—is constructed using natural materials, with a wooden frame, rice straw insulation, and cork cladding. Straw, an agricultural waste material, was selected for its excellent insulating properties, but above all for its symbolic value: recycled, renewable, biodegradable, it restores to construction the sense of a virtuous cyclical process of production.
The cork, used on the façade with a visible three-dimensional finish, is the only decorative element of the project. The contrast between its tactile texture and the rigor of the architectural shell emphasizes the house’s tactile identity, without disturbing its formal balance. The effect is that of a silent, inhabitable sculpture, seamlessly integrated into the landscape while also capable of expressing a new architectural language.
The entire residence is conceived according to principles of bioarchitecture: its envelope is highly energy-efficient, powered by a photovoltaic system that ensures autonomy and zero CO₂ emissions. The layout is oriented to optimize sunlight, natural ventilation, and thermal performance. Every construction element is designed to last, to consume little, and to provide comfort to its inhabitants without burdening the environment.
Within this framework, the design process becomes a shared cultural act: Casa 4 results from a dialogue between client and architect, a process of growth and awareness in which the project takes on an educational dimension.
LCA Architects was founded by Luca Compri in 2001 in Varese. The studio develops projects of various scales and functions, with a focus on environmental sustainability, natural materials, and high construction quality. Its tailored approach to design and ability to manage all project phases—from concept to realization—have earned the studio significant international recognition. Alongside professional practice, LCA is engaged in research and academic teaching activities.
For more information: www.lcarchitetti.com
CREDITS
Project: Casa 4
Architect: LCA Architects
Location: Magnago (MI), Italy
Year: 2016
Photographs: Simone Bossi
