Ex Oratory San Michele in Lonate Seppino

The ‘Elsa Morante’ municipal library occupies the renovated former Oratory of San Michele and the new extension. The concept underlying the whole project was the dialogue between ancient and modern. The library’s extension has a curtain wall exterior. The outer envelope is in sheet, finely perforated with linear rows of 3 mm holes. Most of the panels are modular in design. They vary, however, in the graduated horizontal spacing between perforations. The panels have been laid so that the spacing between perforations becomes progressively narrower towards the top of the building, in keeping with its stereometric dimensions.

From the Jury:
This project shows a fine understanding of combining new and old. It’s an outstanding example of the Italian feel for design and beauty. The detail is excellent and the use of aluminium components in this poetic building is exemplary.