Over Spring Break I traveled to Italy and France. I was able to spend a day exploring Cinque Terre, which was beautifully relaxing. Being coastal, it is extremely hilly and cliff-ridden. Many would look at the landscape as uninhabitable, but the builders took the slopes and cliffs to their advantage. The homes were built right into the sides of the slopes, and flat ground was achieved by terracing. The outcome was beautiful and obviously well-constructed, since the buildings have been around and stable for hundreds of years.
Visiting Cinque Terre got me thinking about modern architecture revolving around hills and cliffs. From what I have seen, architects seem to be avoiding slopes and bluffs more and more. I began my search for modern homes built off, in, or around steep hills and immediately came across 'Villa Vals'. The house was constructed 14 years ago completely inside a hill in Vals, Switzerland. What fascinates me most about Villa Vals is that although only one side of the home can bring light in, the interior is still very bright and comfortable. Since the building is such a success, I don't understand why more architects have thought to create more homes like this one. I think that hillside homes are both attractive and space saving, and it would be awesome to see more of them in the future.
http://archrecord.construction.com/residential/recordhouses/2010/10_Villa_Vals.asp
