House M is a residential home designed by Bolzano-based Architects monovolume architecture + design that is located in the center of Merano, in the quiet area of Obermais near the Northernmost part of Italy. Construction on the private concrete home began in 2011 and was completed in 2012.
The concept for the project is based on the idea of playing with transparent and solid façades to create a seamless transition between the outdoors and the interior of the home. Incredible panoramic and perspective views are a result of the numerous glass windows and walls.
The interior of the home is predominantly white with kitchen, bathroom and dressing room cabinetry and furnishings in white, built-in bookshelves and storage cubbies in white, and white marble flooring.
In the bedrooms and upper hallways, warm wood flooring sets off the white walls, polished chrome hardware and accents in the home. Throughout the home, recessed lighting in a square shape as opposed to the usual circular shape adds to the geometry of the design.
The home even has an elevator, stairs that glow, interior glass walled partitions, a large and inviting wine cellar and a garage with a New York skyline photographic mural that hides storage.
Although it may have been styled for these photos, the home is punctuated with fabulous modern art ranging from the photos of Helmut Newton to Andy Warhol's silkscreens.
Outside, the swimming pool is built on a slope, exposing one end of the pool above ground. A glass wall surrounds the deck area and tiny tiles in various shades of blue cover the pool's interior.
The pool's surround is the same predominantly white marble, thinly veined with grey, that is found throughout the ground floor of the home. The home's exterior details and accessories are all of modern design, from the outdoor furniture and planters to the stainless steel freestanding mail box.
Just under 4,600 square feet (1400 m³), the non-frivolous exterior of the three story home -one below and two above ground- is entirely white and set on a lot measuring just under 4,000 square feet (1200 m³).
To comply with the energy technologies, the building has been designed as a compact volume, consisting of a basement and two floors above ground.
In terms of its construction, the house is made of reinforced concrete with double glazed external windows that make it completely insulated.
all images courtesy and © of monovolume architecture and design
