A Timber Community Center By Mirko Franzoso

“The new building is a “trait d’union” between the historic town and the rural landscape, but at the same time arises as a limit to the expansion of the town and then to the indiscriminate abuse of land.”The result of Franzoso’s winning entry took the form of a timber community centre, a hotspot where local residents can get together and celebrate events. Spanning 400 sq m, the building fuses with the regional style of architecture and the surrounding nature, providing a link between the two. In the words of the architect: “The new building is a “trait d’union” between the historic town and the rural landscape, but at the same time arises as a limit to the expansion of the town and then to the indiscriminate abuse of land.” Therefore, only natural materials were used. Built on a hill, the Franzoso had to cope with the steep topography which represented a challenge at first. But the elevated ground carries a visual advantage as well, namely a unique view across the region of Caltron. Particularly interesting is Franzoso’s concept of an open-plan layout, which makes the space extremely versatile.