The Greenary is a residence that revolves around a ten-meter-tall tree at the center of the house. Multiple living quarters encircle the tree’s leafy branches, all the way up to its top. Located in the Northern Italian countryside, the house was commissioned by Francesco Mutti, CEO of Mutti, the European leading producer of tomato-related products. The project advances CRA’s research into new ways of fusing architecture, natural elements, and advanced technological solutions. Built out of a traditional Italian farmhouse outside the city of Parma, the Greenary (a wordplay of “green-granary”) responds to the idea of biophilia, a scientific hypothesis proposed by noted biologist and Harvard professor E.O. Wilson, which suggests that human beings share an innate desire to live close to nature. This concept is foremost expressed in the 60-year-old ficus tree named Alma standing in the middle of the living space. It belongs to a species called ficus australis that enjoys stable temperatures all year long and is thus well-suited for indoor living conditions. To create the ideal setting for the tree to thrive, CRA has completely redesigned the old farmhouse to maximize natural light, installing a ten-meter-tall, south-facing glass wall. The design harnesses technology and the micro-climate of the surrounding area to control the temperature and humidity, so that the tree and the home’s occupants can live together comfortably. Both the windows and the roof can be opened and closed automatically to adjust the amount of sunlight and fresh air entering the house. The Greenary consists of seven terraced spaces, with three among them above the entrance and three below it. These dynamic, interconnected rooms reinterpret 20th-century architect Adolf Loos’ principle of the Raumplan – with nature at its core. Upon arrival, residents and visitors descend one meter to the main living area and the kitchen, which puts them at eye level with the idyllic meadow outside. The other levels of the house were conceived to form a naturally-inspired journey, throughout which the tree serves as a prominent pillar. Nature is also incorporated in other forms throughout the interior space, such as in flooring that incorporates soil and orange peels. The house was built on a site that spans over 2.5 hectares. Apart from the main residential unit, CRA also converted a granary at the back of the house into a workspace. Surrounding both buildings, a garden cultivated by renowned landscape designer Paolo Pejrone celebrates the biodiversity of the local region. The residence represents the first completed component in CRA’s master plan for the area. Other planned buildings include a factory facility and a canteen-restaurant complex.
The Greenary
CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati
Bronze
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Caro Lundin
Co-founder & Creative Director
at ARC Club
Lovely concept. The interior looks...
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5
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Roel Slabbers
Interior Architect Co-Founder
at De Nieuwe Context
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6.75

Esra Lemmens
Founder & Design Strategist
at Esra Lemmens Agency
7
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6.75

Anne-Laure Pingreoun
Founder
at Alter-Projects
Really nice concept and design, it...
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6.5

Sergio Mannino
Founder
at Sergio Mannino Studio
Lovely project and concept. Would b...
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Nasim Köerting
Head of Design
at The Office Group (TOG)
Lovely objects in the space. would'...
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7.25

Waad El Hadidy
Design Director
at SH Hotels and Resorts/Starwood Capital Group
Nice use of materials but reads mor...
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5

Amrita Mahindroo
Director
at DROO - Da Costa Mahindroo Architects
Really beautiful space...
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6
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6.75

Venelin Kokalov
Design Principal and Principal-in-Charge
at Revery Architecture
5
6
5
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5.5

Kai LIU
Founder & Design Director
at RIGI design
7
6
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6
6.5

Shao Feng
Architectural Photographer
at SFAP
This project provides "trigger elem...
7
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6.75

Martijn Hoogendijk
owner / creative director / designer
at Martijn Hoogendijk
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6
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6.75
Designer
Client
Francesco Mutti
Floor area
25000 ㎡
Completion
2021
Furniture