In the heart of Arzignano, Italy, the AMAA Collaborative Architecture Office, led by Alessandra Rampazzo and Marcello Galiotto, has unveiled its latest project—the Golden Box. This refined fusion of modernist inspiration and artisanal craftsmanship challenges traditional notions of living spaces through its unique design and meticulous execution.
Golden Box Technical Information
- Architects1-12: AMAA
- Location: Arzignano, Vicenza, Italy
- Topics: Interior Design
- Area: 25 m2
- Completion Year: 2024
- Photographs: © Simone Bossi, © Mikael Olsson
Golden Box is an architecture nestled within another, albeit slightly larger, architecture. Inspired by the experimental living concepts of some modernist masters, this new architectural entity—a square-based parallelepiped measuring five meters on each side—occupies almost the entirety of a small apartment’s surface area, freed from its internal partitions.
– AMAA Architects
Golden Box Photographs
The Concept: A Box within a Box
The Golden Box is an architectural entity that redefines the idea of space within a confined environment. Envisioned as a square-based parallelepiped, measuring five meters on each side, it occupies almost the entirety of a small apartment. This bold design choice eliminates internal partitions, creating a seamless and expansive living area.
The exterior of the Golden Box is clad in luxurious brass panels, interspersed with imperial green marble slabs. These materials add a sense of luxury and create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, highlighting the preciousness of the contents within.
Spatial Dynamics and Misalignment
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Golden Box is its deliberate misalignment within the existing apartment structure. Rather than conforming to the perimeter walls or ceiling decorations, the Box’s placement introduces a series of spatial expansions and unexpected moments. This intentional irregularity encourages exploration and interaction, fostering a sense of discovery and engagement with the space.
Adjacent to the kitchen, the only side of the Box where parallelism is achieved, two windows open onto a balcony, offering a visual connection to the bustling main street below. This strategic orientation enhances natural light and integrates the interior with the exterior urban environment.
A Reflection on Dwelling
Golden Box is more than just a spatial device; it represents AMAA’s philosophical reflection on the theme of dwelling. Drawing inspiration from modernist masters such as Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier, and Charlotte Perriand, the design seeks to abolish traditional, emotionally barren corridors typical of mid-20th century homes. Instead, it creates a unified living space that accommodates all essential functions—cooking, sleeping, bathing, and relaxation—within a single volume.
The clients, seeking a petite refuge for weekend getaways, fully embraced AMAA’s exploratory approach. Their support allowed for a design process rich in conceptual and material experimentation, resulting in an intimate and expansive space.
Craftsmanship and Collaboration
The realization of the Golden Box was a three-year journey of constant refinement and collaboration. AMAA worked closely with local artisans, whose expertise in traditional techniques was crucial in bringing the design to life. The brass panels, developed in collaboration with De Castelli, involved a specific etching and fixing method, enhancing the material’s inherent beauty and durability.
Inside, the bathroom and kitchen feature imperial green marble, lacquered wood, and velvet echoing the green hues of the nearby Giovanni Michelucci-designed church. These materials and detailed craftsmanship create a cohesive and luxurious environment that blurs the boundaries between functional and aesthetic spaces.
Golden Box Plans
Golden Box Image Gallery
About AMAA
Founded in 2012, AMAA Collaborative Architecture Office has consistently pushed the boundaries of architectural design. Both Rampazzo and Galiotto bring a wealth of academic and professional experience, having studied and worked alongside notable figures such as Massimo Carmassi and Sou Fujimoto. Their commitment to blending academic research with practical application is evident in the thoughtful and innovative solutions they bring to each project.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Architects: Alessandra Rampazzo and Marcello Galiotto
Collaborators: Francesca Fasiol, Costanza Favero, Serena Bolzan
Client: Private
Consultant: Operae | a Marine Interiors Company
Brass panels and details: De Castelli
Window frames: Fiorotto Design
Electrical components: JUNG
Marble: Pibamarmi
Lighting: Viabizzuno
Wooden furnishings: Zuffellato 1933
Textiles: Tecnotenda
Communication partner and Press office: The Architecture Curator
