Around the World | Jimmi Pianezzola

"Around the World" – Wooden and Rice Husk House
Thiene, Vicenza – Italy (2021-2024)

Introduction

The building represents a small turning point in sustainable architecture in Italy, being the first house in the country constructed using a unique building technique: a combination of solid wood and rice husk. Architecturally, it stands out as a response to the clients’ housing and work-related needs, as well as their strong emotional and visual connection to Mount Summano. The design is inspired by a synergistic vision between nature, architecture, and everyday life.

The 'Around the World' Concept

The project's name is inspired by the fusion of cultural and iconic concepts.
1) Reitia, the goddess worshipped by the ancient Venetians between the 5th and 2nd centuries BC, was a central figure in the region’s pagan cult. The summit of Mount Summano, a symbol of the territory, was the site of significant archaeological findings related to this deity.
2) The famous track 'Around the World' by Daft Punk, whose music video by Michel Gondry translates into a repetitive yet intriguing visual journey, analogous to the spiral that characterizes the architectural structure of the house.
3) The discipline of Scalalogy (Mielke), related to space in motion; an investigation into the development and fluidity of architectural experience. The design is inspired by a simple ‘Raumplan’, centered on a single spiral staircase with a square base.

The Project

The residence consists of abstract volumes. The main body of the house has a square base, with additional volumes for the patio, porch, and garage. The geometry of these forms is the result of a reflection on natural light, which, thanks to the placement of the windows, ensures optimal lighting during winter months and sun protection during hot summer days.
The building's orientation along the South/West-North/East axis optimizes light intake, creating a dialogue between the interior and the exterior environment. The entrance, located to the South/West, leads into a hallway from which one can access both the living area and the staircase, the geometric heart of the house that develops across multiple stepped levels. The vertical arrangement of the spaces – from the sleeping area to the rooms, study, and bathroom – is functional and harmonious, with each floor offering a new perspective of the house.

Structure and Materials

‘Around the World’ is a prime example of sustainable construction, built using low-carbon footprint materials. The prefabricated solid wood structure consists of prefabricated structural timber frames. The entire flooring is insulated on the exterior (walls and roof) with rice husk. The ground insulation is made using a ventilated crawl space in cellular glass.
The use of natural materials in architecture, such as rice husk, offers numerous advantages both environmentally and functionally. Rice husk, an agricultural byproduct, has excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties. Due to its ability to trap air within its cavities, it enhances the energy efficiency of buildings, reducing the need for heating and cooling. Environmentally, it is a renewable, biodegradable, and easily available material, which helps reduce the ecological impact of conventional building materials. It drastically reduces the carbon footprint of constructions, as the plants from which it originates absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during growth and photosynthesis, and it requires less energy for processing compared to materials like cement or polystyrene.
Rice husk naturally regulates indoor humidity, creating a healthy and comfortable microclimate within buildings. Its moisture-absorbing ability helps prevent mold formation and improves indoor air quality, promoting a better living environment.

Project: Jimmi Pianezzola Architetto
Structures: Arpostudio srl
Constructor: Casalogica srl
Photos: Alberto Sinigaglia
Construction site photos: Jimmi Pianezzola