Location: Lake Como, Italy
Type: Residential
Status: Concept
Lucia is a weightless, floating micro-home on Lake Como, inspired by the local batél, a 15th-century fishing vessel from Alessandro Manzoni's The Betrothed. Designed for a young, remote-working couple, this sleek, white dwelling offers the freedom to awaken in a new locale each day. Lucia serves as a "pollinator," spreading ideas, culture, and diversity across the lake community. Its mobile design, with a flat bottom and foldable canopy roof, reconnects young people to the area's social fabric while encouraging exploration and new encounters in Lake Como's picturesque setting.
Space efficiency
Lucia is a weightless, floating micro-home on Lake Como, inspired by the local batél, a 15th-century fishing vessel from Alessandro Manzoni's The Betrothed. Designed for a young, remote-working couple, this sleek, white dwelling offers the freedom to awaken in a new locale each day. Lucia serves as a "pollinator," spreading ideas, culture, and diversity across the lake community. Its mobile design, with a flat bottom and foldable canopy roof, reconnects young people to the area's social fabric while encouraging exploration and new encounters in Lake Como's picturesque setting.
Multifunctionality
The interior furniture incorporates locally sourced recycled materials like birch tree multlayer palywod panels and waste reclaimed from the lake, reducing shipping costs and enhancing affordability for young people. Lucia's interior design embodies a philosophy centred on versatility and adaptability. Every aspect of the living space is meticulously curated to maximise functionality and comfort, with a focus on customisable, multifunctional furniture pieces. These furnishings are ingeniously designed to seamlessly adapt to the diverse habits and needs of its inhabitants, ensuring that every corner of the living space serves a purpose tailored to individual preferences.The design includes a single-floor layout that ensures wheelchair accessibility throughout the entire space. This consideration makes the environment inclusive for individuals with mobility challenges, promoting equal access and comfort for all.
Social context
Lake Como, once a bustling fishing area, now faces youth migration to cities, leading to an aging population and declining services. With 68% of people projected to live in cities by 2050, remote work could help retain residents, but weak digital infrastructure hinders this. While tourism boosts the economy, it also creates challenges, as dependence on seasonal visitors drives gentrification, raising living costs and displacing locals. Balancing preservation with progress is essential for Lake Como’s resilience, reflecting broader societal trends and the need for strategies to sustain vibrant local communities.