Luciano Semerani e Gigetta Tamaro, Casa Semerani a Conconello

The essay explores the architectural and symbolic significance of the Casa Semerani in Conconello, a
weekend house designed in 1965 by Luciano Semerani and Gigetta Tamaro near Trieste. Conceived as a
retreat for Semerani’s parents, the house embodies an intimate dialogue between architecture and land-
scape, responding sensitively to the Karst topography through a non-mimetic yet harmonious integration.
Positioned along a steep slope, the house is articulated through a descending spatial sequence that be-
comes both a physical path and a narrative device, exemplifying what the author defines as a “karstic
Raumplan”. The project is presented not merely as a built object but as an experiential and poetic archi-
tecture, shaped through subtraction, spatial layering, and symbolic gestures. Drawing from Semerani’s
reflections on the architectural profession, the house is interpreted as a concrete manifestation of ar-
chitecture as a symbolic language – where geometry, memory, and the landscape converge to produce
meaning. Ultimately, the house is portrayed as a living organism rather than a formal artifact: a space for
encounter, play, and hospitality, where dwelling becomes a relational and emotional act. The text positions
the Casa Semerani as foundational in understanding the architects' oeuvre and ethos.