The Climber's Refuge is a greener version of the conventional Alpine lodge. LCA Architetti created this house in the Italian town of Valtournenche using largely natural materials and a double-pitched roof that echoes the surrounding mountain peaks. More than just a pretty face, the Climber's Refuge offers comfortable living spaces with stunning views from its rooftop solarium.
The Mountain House was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano for a wealthy family who wanted to move away from city life and into the mountains. This concrete structure with wood beams and floors is surrounded by a large garden. The main floor consists of a dining room, a library, and a guest bedroom while the upper level has two bedrooms and a bathroom. There's also a small office on this level where the residents could work or relax.
Located in the Apennine Mountains near Rome, the Villa D'Este was built between 1741 and 1747 by Cardinal Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini. This beautiful park-like property features an elegant marble staircase, a large central hall with polychrome marble decorations, and several other luxurious rooms. During the French invasion of 1799, the villa was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers.
Built in the late 1700s, the Palazzo Ravizza is a magnificent example of Rococo architecture.
CHALET. A Swiss house with a sloping roof and broad eaves, or a home built in this manner.
The word chalet comes from the Germanic words "casa" (house) and "tlei" (slope), thus meaning "little house on slope". The first Chalets were probably built in the 16th century for wealthy merchants who traveled with their families across Europe; they were given as gifts by these merchants to their friends and colleagues when they returned home.
These early Chalets were made of wood and had roofs covered with tiles or shingles. In the 19th century, under French rule, Chalet architecture came into its own with buildings designed by famous architects such as Charles-Marie Gambart and Jean-Jacques Grivot. Today, many modern Chalets feature glass walls and doors that open up to spacious balconies.
Have you ever been in a Château or Castle? If so, you will know that they are very luxurious houses that often have many rooms and are also usually made of wood. However, not all castles are like this, some are just small villages that have many more people living in them than other places.
These houses are built of wood and have exposed beams on the outside. They are encircled by artistically carved rails. The interior features a high ceiling and a large open floor plan. A chalet is designed to withstand the elements and retain heat. It is usually constructed of stone or timber, with wooden shingles used for the roof.
Italy has some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe, and its cities are rich in culture. Travelers to Italy should try to fit in some form of outdoor activity during their stay - even if it's just a day trip - to experience this country first-hand.
The Italian house style is generally similar across the country, but there are several regional differences that may come as a surprise to visitors from other countries. For example, in Tuscany they build very small homes for very large families!
In general, Italian houses tend to be smaller than those in North America. There are many reasons for this: larger families need more space, land is expensive, so builders make do with what they've got.
Italian houses also tend to be one story underground, except in Venice where there are sometimes two stories. This is because water enters through the ground and needs to be removed, so floors are made out of gravel or brick to prevent people's feet from getting wet when it rains or floods.
Mediterranean-style architecture has spread beyond its Italian origins to become popular all around the world. The most prevalent features are stucco walls, arches, and covered patios. Roofs are often built of red tile and clay, and they are noted for absorbing heat and lowering the temperature within. Red is also a sign of danger in many cultures, so the color helps ward off evil spirits.
Italian villas are typically larger than American homes of the same period. This is because the Italian government required large estates to be divided into smaller pieces to avoid having one great estate holder dominating the region. These divisions ensured that no single person owned more than 1250 acres (527 hectares), while an average American home at this time was about the size of a European town hall!
Italian villa architecture is similar to French chateau architecture but with more attention paid to comfort. They usually have six or seven rooms, a dining room, study, kitchen, maid's room, pantry, and wine cellar. There might be only one bathroom for all the bedrooms or there could be as many as six.
The exterior of the house will usually include the main building plus outhouses, windmills, granaries, and even fish ponds. It is not unusual for an Italian villa to cover five or six acres.
Characteristics of an Italian Rustic Farmhouse Vaulted ceilings encased in stone or wood, together with exposed beams, unfinished brick fireplaces, or stone flooring, are common design elements used to create stunning features from local resources. These buildings were often constructed using techniques employed by the masons of the day, which included making use of natural materials such as stone and timber that would not be vulnerable to insects or damage from weather conditions.
The typical Italian countryside farmhouse has a rectangular plan with a sloping tile roof, large windows, and a porch or balcony. The interior usually consists of one large open space with rooms opening off it: a kitchen at one end and a living room at the other. There may be more than one entrance, via a set of stairs or a breezeway, so it is possible to divide up the work without having separate houses.
Italian country houses typically have a rustic style with simple lines and earthy colors, often including white walls with red accents. The interiors are generally sparsely furnished with handmade items; paintings and antiques are rare because there are no need for decorative items inside a farmhouse. However, each house has its own distinctive character shaped by what region it comes from. For example, some are very spacious while others are small and tight.