The jury awarded the first prize to our project "Casa di Luce" in the competition for the development of the new intergenerational neighborhood in Morbio Inferiore organized by the Parco San Rocco Foundation.
The project proposes an urban solution that reconnects the historic center with the surrounding landscape and creates an innovative building designed to improve residents’ quality of life, staff efficiency, and integration with the urban context. It places strong emphasis on intergenerational interaction and the enhancement of the community's social life.
IB’s proposal reopens the San Rocco Park towards the village center by replacing the existing building with a new compact courtyard structure located further southeast. The current building will remain operational during construction, allowing residents to stay in place and avoiding temporary relocation.
The new volume is positioned on the southeastern edge of the site, redefining open spaces and creating a fluid relationship between the senior residence, the town hall, and the Church of San Rocco. The square formed between these elements becomes the new heart of community life—an intergenerational meeting place that bridges public space and the building’s interior.
The site reorganization restores the view of the Mendrisiotto hills, long obscured by the existing structure. The building is arranged around a central courtyard, echoing the traditional village typology and ensuring optimal natural lighting.
Its polygonal layout minimizes volumetric impact and harmonizes with the urban context, allowing for efficient internal space distribution. The building’s geometry optimizes functional distances and creates a bright, domestic atmosphere.
The façades, characterized by subtle folds, align with the proportions of surrounding buildings, while the pitched roof reinterprets the architectural language of the historic center in a contemporary way, ensuring harmony between old and new.
Functionally, the project optimizes internal circulation through a ring layout around the central courtyard. Service areas are positioned to reduce travel distances and allow flexible department configurations. Communal spaces on the ground floor foster dynamic relationships between the courtyard and the exterior, offering diverse, high-quality environments that encourage both internal and external interaction.
The lower level houses the Alzheimer’s unit, designed with a private elevated garden that provides a safe and protected environment for residents.
The ground floor acts as a natural extension of the square, strengthening the connection between public life and the senior residence. Upper levels host residential units and spaces for the religious community.
The new project optimizes available resources and offers a long-term vision for the future of the senior residence. To ensure operational continuity, the current building will remain in use until the new facility is completed.
Additionally, the construction of a covered parking garage in collaboration with the Municipality of Morbio Inferiore completes the community services.
The strong identity of the "Casa di Luce" project will forge new connections and represents a significant step forward in improving the quality of life and relationships within the local community.
