Calvi Brambilla's Terracotta Retreat Blends Brutalism with Regional Harmony

Architects Fabio Calvi and Paolo Brambilla, co-founders of the Milan-based studio Calvi Brambilla, have completed a holiday home near Piacenza in northern Italy. The house, named House on the Hills, is situated in the Emilia-Romagna region and features a bold, brutalist design with a terracotta-colored coffered ceiling that extends outdoors as a deep lattice, shading the terrace and pool. The architects aimed to balance contrast in form with harmony in color, drawing references from the region's historic noble residences and medieval castles. The interior includes a sunken living area, gridded artificial stone paving that flows inside and out, and furnishings that mix 20th-century vintage pieces with designs by the architects for companies such as Zanotta, Frigerio, and Pianca. The project reflects their 20 years of experience and their approach to designing for themselves, treating themselves as clients. The house is a blend of regional references and modern architecture, with a concrete roof in an earthy hue that appears to float above the landscape. The architects cited the Radical Architecture movement of the late 1960s, particularly Superstudio, as an influence on the flooring grid. The home is intended for family gatherings and long meals, with tactile details like oversized wooden knobs recalling traditional farm furniture.