BOX AP is the architectural design of a compact automotive shelter for a historic villa nestled on the slopes of mount Etna, surrounded by a mediterranean park rich in citrus and olive trees.
Born from the vision of the owner, a passionate car collector, the project establishes a exhibition space within a landscape of exceptional natural beauty, suspended between the volcano and the sea.
The concept revolves around the idea of the automobile as a story to be told: an artwork housed within its own bespoke environment, designed not merely for protection, but for appreciation.
The resulting architecture takes the form of a glass showcase, a display case that elevates its content while seamlessly integrating into the surrounding context through tailored design choices and curated materials: corten steel exterior cladding, mirrored bronze-tinted glass, specialized architectural lighting, and a driveway paved in exposed aggregate concrete with local lava stone aggregates.
By day, the expansive side glazing reflects the surrounding landscape, creating the visual illusion of a delicate, ephemeral structure resting lightly on the lawn. By night, the showcase illuminates from within, transforming the pavilion into the primary light sculpture within the park.
The surrounding landscape turns into a private open-air gallery, where owner and guests experience a circular spatial flow centered around the displayed cars.
BOX AP’s structural design gracefully incorporates the photovoltaic system providing clean energy to support the estate.
