Palazzo Sicilia | Noto, Sicilia | Massimo Carnemolla

There is a particular building typology deeply rooted in the collective imagination of Southern Italy in the early 20th century: the auspicious floor.

It was common practice to leave the uppermost level unfinished, with balconies, corbels, parapets, and the first outlines of future window openings already in place. This architecture existed between the present and the future, carrying a symbolic meaning: the hope that one day the children, once married, would build an additional floor, continue living in the same house, and allow the family to grow and prosper.

In reality, however, the future rarely unfolded as originally imagined. As generations changed, so did the needs of the family. New staircases, different spatial layouts, and structural alterations often transformed the building far beyond its initial vision.

This project reverses that process. Rather than adapting an unfinished structure, we imagined what the building might have become if the auspicious floor had finally been completed through a contemporary architectural language while preserving its original spirit.

The new elevation is defined by three large openings that are more than simple windows. They form a living green façade, where vegetation becomes architecture—a vertical garden that gives the building its identity.

Inside, a generous transitional space, almost the size of a foyer, separates the private sleeping area from the living spaces. At the heart of the house, a large courtyard creates a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors. A reflecting pool, enriched with hydroponic plants and lush vegetation, mirrors the rooftop garden above, establishing a continuous dialogue between water, greenery, light, and architecture.

Rather than treating the auspicious floor as a mere extension, the project interprets it as the completion of a story that had remained unfinished for more than a century.

Architectural Design & Interior Design: Architect Massimo Carnemolla
Photography: Laura Messina
Client: Palazzo Sicilia