In Meran, South Tyrol, monovolume architecture + design transformed a residential building into House SP, where a folded black metal roof acts as both sculpture and shelter against an Alpine backdrop. What started as a renovation ended up as an extension. Two units were created: a spacious apartment on the first floor, and a duplex spanning the second and third, with a black-roofed external staircase connecting the levels.

The material palette is minimal and coherent — white plaster facades, black metal roof cladding, dark powder-coated railings, and large glass surfaces. Inside, white walls and ceilings meet warm wood floors and stairs. A fireplace sits flush in the wall alongside a recessed slot for firewood. Sculptural light fixtures, clean-lined furniture, and a few well-placed objects contribute to a sleek yet welcoming atmosphere.

What makes House SP work is the spaces in between. On the lower floors, a terrace wraps around an old walnut tree, pulling the garden into daily life. The closed north facade shields residents from street noise and prying eyes. But it’s the panoramic terrace — opening the living spaces toward mountain and town vistas — that steals the show. The roof’s folded shape gives the building its character, casting shifting light patterns throughout the day. Sustainability is worked into the build: triple-insulated facades and windows, a heat pump system, and photovoltaic panels lining the roof handle energy performance year-round.

monovolume architecture + design describes the project as “living dynamics beneath gentle folds” — a line that captures House SP’s silhouette well. A modest renovation that delivers a home balancing design, functionality, and timeless beauty.

Photography © Giovanni De Sandre