Reconnecting with nature
Building a base for Facing the Glacier
Facing the Glacier, watching the night sky. Arts and remote working to experience the snowy Alps.
“Facing the Glacier” is the setting up of a relationship-residency programme for professionals that are looking into experiencing a rural context and leave a trace. The project consists of two stages: the renovation of a studio space and the subsequent hosting programme. The house is looking straight at the Laas glacier and does not have gas.
Italy
National
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Prototype level
No
No
As an individual
The objective of the project is to redress the studio space in the Timo house and subsequently use it as a way to connect people to the living landscape of the Vinschgau valley. The project revitalizes a space in an old building and opens up a base for people to experience and connect: to themselves, the network of BASIS and world and the fabric of the Alps. Nestled in a historic house in the village of Laas Timo:Thyme Studio has a base, the Timo House. Facing the Glacier is the project through which this space opens itself to the community and citizens of the world. The people it is targeting are remote working professionals or artists of different crafts by hosting them in a flexible residency in the Vinschgau valley of South Tyrol, in the heart of the Alps. The village of Laas, where the house is located, has an important historical and contemporary relevance. It is mainly known for its marble industry, which spams through history connecting with people and places from different times. Laas is reachable by train and it is connected to the nearby BASIS, a social activation hub which has already proved a notorious impact in the social ecological transformation of the local and the European culture scene.
The idea behind the project is born from the realization that people in cities do not experience something as basic as a night sky, and hence it is difficult for them to understand what we are actually being deprived of. How to know which direction should a transition go, if you have never experienced a different way of living? May it be a pollution-free night sky or the view of eternal whiteness of the glacier admirable through the window, thanks to the unique setting and condition of the house the residency space enhances reconnection with our living Planet.
Data shows that in 15 years skiing in the Alps may become impossible, who will remember the feeling of winter sports? Who will stand testimony of the many months of white peaks?
The idea behind the project is born from the realization that people in cities do not experience something as basic as a night sky, and hence it is difficult for them to understand what we are actually being deprived of. How to know which direction should a transition go, if you have never experienced a different way of living? May it be a pollution-free night sky or the view of eternal whiteness of the glacier admirable through the window, thanks to the unique setting and condition of the house the residency space enhances reconnection with our living Planet.
Data shows that in 15 years skiing in the Alps may become impossible, who will remember the feeling of winter sports? Who will stand testimony of the many months of white peaks?
Energy
Shared living
Mountains
Water
Agroecological knowledge
The materials used to renovate the space will be either upcycled or purchased through the local network of natural building products. The house is not connected to gas hence it runs on electricity (which is bought through the company that produces it locally with hydropower) and wood. Although wood is not the most efficient way to heat a space, I believe it has the value of reconnecting us with our input in the energy system. Wood needs to be brought home, needs to be cut and needs to be looked after, actions that are outsourced in the current day gas and electrical system.
The workshops will focus on deepening the participants' relationship with the living and historical landscape (historically there are tensions between the local people of the area and the Italian state), adding to the social value of the project.
By offering a way to reconnect to nature (the national park is just 15 minutes away and from the balcony you can see incredible night skies) the Timo house stimulates people's capacities of looking at the present differently, allowing them to see a different direction than the merely city-oriented, resources rich way of living.
The workshops will focus on deepening the participants' relationship with the living and historical landscape (historically there are tensions between the local people of the area and the Italian state), adding to the social value of the project.
By offering a way to reconnect to nature (the national park is just 15 minutes away and from the balcony you can see incredible night skies) the Timo house stimulates people's capacities of looking at the present differently, allowing them to see a different direction than the merely city-oriented, resources rich way of living.
The bone of the aesthetic will come from the Photoscape, Silvia´s elegant style will mark an indelible mark on the overall project. The communication will be made through social media, newsletters and posters. The overall scope of receiving funding is in fact to better the experience of people coming to the Timo house. This is technically already possible, but the lack of a studio means that all the life happens in the living room and in the bedroom, which does not allow for enough privacy to create.
The cultural experience will be tailored to the people the project attracts. The walks organized will be fairly easy and if specific equipment is needed this will be provided. Overall, the people that will access Timo house will access a long standing relationship opportunity to escape the city and develop a relationship with a place, significantly expanding the cultural borders of one's experience.
The cultural experience will be tailored to the people the project attracts. The walks organized will be fairly easy and if specific equipment is needed this will be provided. Overall, the people that will access Timo house will access a long standing relationship opportunity to escape the city and develop a relationship with a place, significantly expanding the cultural borders of one's experience.
Affordability: Timo house is already an affordable place where people can be hosted, but at the moment it lacks elements of comfortability and efficiency. Once the project is completed, even without further funding the Timo house will be solid enough to do so just on a donation base model. Through the project Facing the Glacier people from different backgrounds will be hosted providing a way to experience the mountain landscape without having to pay hotel rates or having a classic Airbnb experience. The nearby BASIS has a co-working space where students can rent desks for free.
Sense of shared responsibility over a space: because of the community governance and the trust-based relationship that this project needs, participants will explore a different sense of ownership and the result will be that Timo house will become not just the base for one person, but for a community. The way this will happen is inspired by the concepts of “comune” and their historical relevance in the italian cultural sphere, but it differentiates itself from them as no fixed number of peoples will need to permanently live there.
Accessibility: the house is reachable by train and there is a network of public transport that operates in the valley. Unfortunately the house is not currently ready to host people with wheelchairs. On the other side, in this sense BASIS is a fully accessible space.
Intergenerational space: thanks to the expertise of Vittorio Mascagno people will be able to access local knowledge from the Alpine area, a knowledge that is usually reserved to experts in the fields or transmitted inside the family. Particular care will be made to include knowledge holders and elders from the valley into the skill sharing aspects of the residencies.
Aesthetic: the visual narrative will be curated with poetry, power and gentleness at its core. An interior designer will be consulted to make sure the space is redressed efficiently and respecting the historical structures.
Sense of shared responsibility over a space: because of the community governance and the trust-based relationship that this project needs, participants will explore a different sense of ownership and the result will be that Timo house will become not just the base for one person, but for a community. The way this will happen is inspired by the concepts of “comune” and their historical relevance in the italian cultural sphere, but it differentiates itself from them as no fixed number of peoples will need to permanently live there.
Accessibility: the house is reachable by train and there is a network of public transport that operates in the valley. Unfortunately the house is not currently ready to host people with wheelchairs. On the other side, in this sense BASIS is a fully accessible space.
Intergenerational space: thanks to the expertise of Vittorio Mascagno people will be able to access local knowledge from the Alpine area, a knowledge that is usually reserved to experts in the fields or transmitted inside the family. Particular care will be made to include knowledge holders and elders from the valley into the skill sharing aspects of the residencies.
Aesthetic: the visual narrative will be curated with poetry, power and gentleness at its core. An interior designer will be consulted to make sure the space is redressed efficiently and respecting the historical structures.
When the owner of the house approached BASIS to find someone to give this house to, she had been looking for someone to rent the space for months. Through our project, we can ensure a modest, but constant, flow of money to this woman who, in the end, is the one that has made all of this possible. The businesses in Laas and the valley will benefit from people using the space as commodities will be bought. Vittorio Mascagno is eager to continue his advocacy and knowledge transfer and we have for a while now tried to find a format for which his skills can be relevant without having to bring everyone to his house in Verona.
Silvia, the photographer, will have an opportunity to extend her portfolio beyond the mainstream work she does in Milan and we hope she and Irene will continue collaborating
Silvia, the photographer, will have an opportunity to extend her portfolio beyond the mainstream work she does in Milan and we hope she and Irene will continue collaborating
Without BASIS, this house would not exist as it was their CEO that first offered this opportunity to Irene. BASIS is an EU funded project aimed at socially activating the valley, the development of Facing the Glacier would fit directly into their work.
Locally, the owner of the house and her family have helped so far in the correct running of the house, expanding the project would leave them with a renovated room in a house they were close to selling because it was not profitable.
The Global Youth Coalition could finally have an operating project in Europe, and could offer its network to bring the right people to the house or additional experts. Their role is limited as Irene is already part of the organization but their support will be used strategically.
Locally, the owner of the house and her family have helped so far in the correct running of the house, expanding the project would leave them with a renovated room in a house they were close to selling because it was not profitable.
The Global Youth Coalition could finally have an operating project in Europe, and could offer its network to bring the right people to the house or additional experts. Their role is limited as Irene is already part of the organization but their support will be used strategically.
How does this all fit together? Well the physical space and our commitment to renovate sustainably roots us in environmental design but the use we want to make of the space leads us to the social aspect of creation. Transformation design gives us the purpose, I do not do this merely to have fun but because I honestly believe it can create change in people's minds. Even if one at the time.
Ecology and agronomy are connected because of what Vittorio Mascagno will bring to the game, although design is an important discipline in shaping the methodology, what are we without the understanding of the world around us? His prospective will be rooted in time, physical and political changes.
Ecology and agronomy are connected because of what Vittorio Mascagno will bring to the game, although design is an important discipline in shaping the methodology, what are we without the understanding of the world around us? His prospective will be rooted in time, physical and political changes.
A space to share: usually residency programmes are open to artists, what Timo House allows is a hosting solution that is closer to co-living than a residency. This is the set up of a new relationship between cities and villages. Because of the limited costs to run the house, groups or individuals can afford spending an entire month in the mountains with the same price they would pay for a weekend. Remote workers are an opportunity for the villages like Laas as they contribute in making use of potentially empty housing while not being merely tourists.
Energy aspect embodied in the space itself: the use of our energy resources is becoming a key aspect in our life and geopolitics. Although we think of energy limitations as some of the features, Italy has already started to impose restrictions in summer times, as the lack of water is being a serious threat to our industries and health. Although the problem is fundamentally systematic, we have got used to our standards and we have never experienced something different. Timo house offers a way to challenge this paradigm: how do we rearrange our appliances, routine and costs when gas is not available? At Timo people can use fire to heat the shower for the water and to cook their meals. The electricity used in Timo house is produced through the hydro power of the local company, making it an example of a local energy production ecosystem.
Connection between mountain culture and innovation: we often hear of “indigenous knowledge” as a way to power climate innovation, but who are the indigenous of the Alps? What about the local knowledge that allowed people to live in the Alps for millenia? Through thematic workshops Facing the Glacier will connect the old to make space for new inventions, in particularly Nature Based Solutions.
A residency connected to global climate politics: thanks to the Global Youth Coalition and the Avocado Framework, the residency will be advertised to climate leaders worldwide.
Energy aspect embodied in the space itself: the use of our energy resources is becoming a key aspect in our life and geopolitics. Although we think of energy limitations as some of the features, Italy has already started to impose restrictions in summer times, as the lack of water is being a serious threat to our industries and health. Although the problem is fundamentally systematic, we have got used to our standards and we have never experienced something different. Timo house offers a way to challenge this paradigm: how do we rearrange our appliances, routine and costs when gas is not available? At Timo people can use fire to heat the shower for the water and to cook their meals. The electricity used in Timo house is produced through the hydro power of the local company, making it an example of a local energy production ecosystem.
Connection between mountain culture and innovation: we often hear of “indigenous knowledge” as a way to power climate innovation, but who are the indigenous of the Alps? What about the local knowledge that allowed people to live in the Alps for millenia? Through thematic workshops Facing the Glacier will connect the old to make space for new inventions, in particularly Nature Based Solutions.
A residency connected to global climate politics: thanks to the Global Youth Coalition and the Avocado Framework, the residency will be advertised to climate leaders worldwide.
Irene started to be a nomad as she realized that as a remote worker she had the opportunity not to work in a city, but within nature. Since they were 16, they have experienced “comuni” around Italy, Europe and Latin America but what she found while roaming was that sometimes what she needed was a personal space where to focus, something that projects like workaways do not always offer. The house came to them when they thought they were close to end their roaming in the Alps, but when having a space became a reality, they decided to make it to use to start building the housing future they envision: a serie of buildings through which a community can freely move in and out of. This not only for the pleasure of roaming, but also as a response of climate change and the strains it will bring to territories.
The methodology used to bring this together was: build on your resources, connect with pivotal actors and trust your experiences.
The methodology used to bring this together was: build on your resources, connect with pivotal actors and trust your experiences.
Technically such a model of hosting people and having residences and workshops to highlight the space can happen in any house who is not in use at the moment, especially in those villages where rent costs are low because of the scarce economic opportunities. In fact, the village of Stilfs (also in Vinschgau) is moving in that direction, also planning to host remote workers in order to bring people back to the town. Offering this proven model to at least one of their properties could be an immediate opportunity for scalability, but really this can happen anywhere else in Europe.
The shared community governance of the space could be implemented in other housing, for example by creating similar spaces in cities: the costs would of course be different but it would be nice to explore how human mobility would be impacted if we started to act not as stationary species but one of nomads (as we have been for millennials of our history). The idea is that one day many “Timo houses” will be connected between each other, and members of the community will be able to move freely among these spaces.
The shared community governance of the space could be implemented in other housing, for example by creating similar spaces in cities: the costs would of course be different but it would be nice to explore how human mobility would be impacted if we started to act not as stationary species but one of nomads (as we have been for millennials of our history). The idea is that one day many “Timo houses” will be connected between each other, and members of the community will be able to move freely among these spaces.
Housing shortage: offering economically sustainable and socially valuable accommodation.
Climate Change: learning more deeply about imminent threats especially related to water and connection between mountain ecosystems and cities.
Revival of local knowledge:creation of an environment for an effective transfer of knowledge among different generations
Climate Change: learning more deeply about imminent threats especially related to water and connection between mountain ecosystems and cities.
Revival of local knowledge:creation of an environment for an effective transfer of knowledge among different generations
STEP 1: renovating the studio space
STEP 2: document the renovation and Timo house at large, creating a body of work that can be used to advertise the residency programme
STEP 3: Make a call for stipend residencies
STEP 4: plan workshops
STEP 5: carry on the residencies and workshop
STEP 6: reflection and continuation with hosting programme (after first year)
Direct beneficiaries: Irene Delfanti, Silvia Sirpresi, Vittorio Mascagno, 2 winners of residencies, workshops takers, house owner (for having a renovated space and a more constant income)
Indirect beneficiaries: BASIS (for the project will give additional attention to their space), future guests of Timo house (as they will benefit from the physical improvements of the space), habitants of Laas (as businesses will benefit by having people living there and working), crafters and experts in the valley (depending on how residencies will be structure, further connections will be made with local enterprises to learn more about their crafts), Global Youth Coalition (as their project will have a foothold in Europe through which community based actions can grow)
Non-human-beneficiaries: attention will be brought to the risks associated with the disappearance of glaciers and the change of flora and fauna which is envisioned happening due to climate change.
STEP 2: document the renovation and Timo house at large, creating a body of work that can be used to advertise the residency programme
STEP 3: Make a call for stipend residencies
STEP 4: plan workshops
STEP 5: carry on the residencies and workshop
STEP 6: reflection and continuation with hosting programme (after first year)
Direct beneficiaries: Irene Delfanti, Silvia Sirpresi, Vittorio Mascagno, 2 winners of residencies, workshops takers, house owner (for having a renovated space and a more constant income)
Indirect beneficiaries: BASIS (for the project will give additional attention to their space), future guests of Timo house (as they will benefit from the physical improvements of the space), habitants of Laas (as businesses will benefit by having people living there and working), crafters and experts in the valley (depending on how residencies will be structure, further connections will be made with local enterprises to learn more about their crafts), Global Youth Coalition (as their project will have a foothold in Europe through which community based actions can grow)
Non-human-beneficiaries: attention will be brought to the risks associated with the disappearance of glaciers and the change of flora and fauna which is envisioned happening due to climate change.
