Solar-Powered Italian Home Uses Light Wells to Illuminate Its Interiors

This modern single family residence is situated not far from the Italian-Austrian border in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toblach" target="_blank">Toblach, Italy</a>. Rising like a staircase that stretches towards the surrounding mountains, the home makes use of terraces and light wells to pull in as much daylight as possible. Tightly insulated and topped with a solar photovoltaic system at its roof, the <a href="http://www.comfort-architecten.com/" target="_blank">Wohnhaus Planit C</a>, designed by Italian firm Comfort Architecten, is an energy-efficient home set amidst a scenic landscape in the Italian Alps.

The generous family home is organized a central courtyard and the different volumes are staggered.

The ground floor houses the entrance area, a work room, and a living space oriented towards the atrium.

On the next level up accessed by a wide staircase is the kitchen and dining area, and then above that are the bedrooms of the building.

That same level features a small apartment, which is also accessible via an external staircase.

At the top level is the master bedroom with an open bathroom and a dressing room.

This staggered design makes it possible to guide light into parts of the basement, where the fitness and wellness area is located.

Wohnhaus Planit C was constructed using a hybrid system of concrete and various wooden construction techniques

The basement and part of the first ceiling were executed with reinforced concrete, but the rest was built with wood.

Fully insulated <a href="http://holzbuild.com/02xlam/xlam.html" target="_blank">XLAM</a> wood components were used for the exterior and interior walls and the ceilings.

By using appropriately insulated walls and ceilings along with 3 - way glass, and controlled ventilation, the home was able to reach the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_house" target="_blank">climate house category "A"</a> using only 22kWh per sq meter.

On top of the naturally daylit and energy efficient design, a photovoltaic system on the roof generates electricity for the home.

Side elevation.

Cross section.