The Fool and the Philomath

Casa Sperimentalen, Fregene, Italy,

Also known as Casa Albero, the experimental concrete residence was developed over seven years by a family of Italian architects.

The project was led by Giuseppe Perugini alongside his wife Uga de Plaisant, with their son Raynaldo Perugini later contributing to the design. During the 60s and 70s, the family used the holiday home as a laboratory for architectural experimentation, exploring new Brutalist construction methods and unconventional approaches to living space.

Constructed from raw concrete modules and geometric frames woven through the surrounding pines, the structure explores a modular, almost organic vision of living spaces. Raised on pillars, it was conceived as an ‘unfinishable’ architectural experiment.

Access to Casa Sperimentale is via a single red staircase that can be raised like a drawbridge, allowing the house to be physically separated from the ground.

Abandoned since the 1990s, the structure has suffered vandalism and significant decay, leaving the structure at risk of collapse despite ongoing efforts to preserve the site.

A Glasgow building during demolition (1972), showing soot trails to chimneys.

Marabù discotheque, by Silvestro Lolli (1977). Abandoned in 2000.

Reggio Emilia, Italy.

© Roberto Conte (2021)