L2A House by Davide Beretta Studio in Crema, Italy

Located in Crema, L2A House is a contemporary residential project that reinterprets the traditional Italian villa through a lens of minimalism, spatial clarity, and climatic responsiveness. Designed by Davide Beretta Studio and completed in 2023, the 247-square-meter, two-storey home balances sculptural precision with everyday comfort, creating an architecture that is both expressive and deeply livable.

Architectural Concept and Form

The identity of L2A House is defined by its pure white surfaces and geometric composition, where straight and curved lines intersect to shape a dynamic yet restrained volume. The architecture is intentionally essential, allowing proportion, light, and shadow to become primary design tools. This sculptural approach gives the house a strong visual presence while maintaining a calm, understated elegance within its suburban context.

A continuous porch wraps around two sides of the house, acting as both an architectural and climatic device. Facing south, it protects the main living spaces from intense summer sun, while opening westward to form a generous outdoor living area designed for social gatherings and seasonal use. White sunshading elements filter daylight, ensuring privacy, reducing heat gain, and enhancing thermal comfort throughout the warmer months.

Indoor, Outdoor Continuity

On the ground floor, the living area unfolds as a sequence of open, interconnected spaces that maintain constant visual and physical dialogue with the outdoors. Large openings dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior, reinforcing a sense of spatial fluidity. The material palette, sand and stone tones paired with warm wood finishes, echoes the surrounding landscape, creating a seamless transition between inside and outside.

Furniture and interior elements are deliberately understated, aligning with the architectural language through clean lines and neutral hues. This restrained approach enhances the perception of space and light, allowing daily life to take center stage within a carefully composed architectural framework.

Staircase as a Spatial Landmark

At the heart of the house, a monolithic staircase becomes a defining architectural feature. Finished in grey resin, it wraps around a white parallelepiped volume that conceals a concrete tub filled with hanging greenery at its apex. This integration of vegetation introduces a biophilic element into the interior, softening the minimalist palette while reinforcing the connection to nature.

The staircase parapet, crafted from white-painted perforated metal panels, ensures visual continuity between floors. Light, air, and views move freely through the space, enhancing openness and reinforcing the vertical relationship between living and sleeping areas.

Private Spaces and Comfort

The first floor accommodates three bedrooms and a bathroom, forming a quiet, private zone dedicated to rest and retreat. The master bedroom opens directly onto a small terrace overlooking the Crema countryside, offering a secluded outdoor extension and framed views of the surrounding landscape. Natural light and cross-ventilation are carefully considered throughout, ensuring a serene and comfortable atmosphere in every room.

A Contemporary Italian Villa

L2A House exemplifies how minimalist residential architecture can successfully combine aesthetic rigor with functionality and comfort. Through precise geometry, thoughtful material selection, and climate-responsive design, Davide Beretta Studio delivers a home that is sculptural yet welcoming, contemporary yet deeply rooted in its Italian context.

All photographs are works of  Daniel Pavesi