Zortea is a small settlement of 162 inhabitants located near Fiera di Primiero (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy). For centuries, livestock breeding and agriculture have shaped the valley, giving its settlements a strong vernacular architectural identity.

In the new project, the basement is conceived as a mini-apartment: 40 m² accommodating a bedroom, a bathroom, and a wellness area created in the former pantry, alongside a service entrance and storage for wood, skis, and equipment. A wall-set staircase connects this level to the upper floor.

The ground floor is the core of the dwelling and has its own independent access. Here, all main social activities take place around a long central table with an integrated fireplace. The fireplace becomes the true heart of the home, organizing the kitchen, living area, and dining space.

A double staircase without parapets rises symmetrically along the west wall, visually extending the space of the room. The upper floor houses two bedrooms and a shared bathroom, centrally placed to distribute circulation between the rooms.

All materials were chosen according to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Wood is the primary material, selected not only for its low grey-energy impact but also for its symbolic value after storm Vaia (2018), which caused the fall of nearly 32 million trees and a subsequent bark beetle infestation. Using local wood reinforces the project’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, essential qualities for architecture addressing contemporary challenges.