New Bauhaus Museum; Weimar, Germany
International Competition for Weimar's New Bauhaus museumThe proposal by Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia AF517 (5+1AA) positions a suspended volume outside the Gauforum, establishing a strong urban front and shaping a new civic square. By removing the Ernst-Thälmann-Straße axis, fragmented areas are unified into a single plaza, enhancing connections between parks and key cultural buildings. A recessed northern “slot” accommodates multifunctional spaces while providing visual and acoustic separation from adjacent uses.
During the first competition phase, as Project Leader, I guided the design to ensure harmony between form, context, and environmental strategy. Rather than relying on literal references, the project interprets the Bauhaus legacy through an innovative, context-responsive approach, and this careful integration of urban, architectural, and environmental ideas led to the studio being invited for the second phase of the competition (Credit: Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia AF517 (5+1AA)).
A Window To Tehran
International Competition for the Benetton Complex in Tehran
The Benetton building proposal in Tehran presents a multifunctional structure that integrates a building, public square, and urban focal point. The design combines retail, offices, residences, and parking around a central public space, promoting interaction while maintaining core functions.
The southern façade features a large window shaded by trees along Vali Asr Avenue, while the northern side opens to expansive views of Tehran and the mountains. The building’s double-skin façade enhances energy efficiency and natural ventilation, while a void on the southern side encourages airflow, fostering sustainability.
An elevated public square serves as the building's communal heart, offering a sheltered space for shoppers, office workers, and visitors, while connecting the surrounding urban environment. As project leader at Studio Barreca & La Varra in 2009, I led the design for the Tehran International Competition, which earned an honorable mention from over 600 international entries.
The Benetton complex merges the city’s vibrancy with nature, offering a space that fosters sustainability, interaction, and a stronger connection between people and place (Credit: Studio Barreca & La Varra).
Gallery | Interface | Living
Contemporary Villa Project – A Refined Integration of Space, Light, and FunctionalityThis villa project, developed by Studio Barreca & La Varra in 2009, exemplifies refined architectural and interior design. As a contributing team member, I was involved in shaping this two-level residence, which organizes its spaces into three distinct zones: the gallery, the interface, and the living area, fostering a seamless interaction between functions and aesthetics.
The design emphasizes openness and light, with high-quality materials, clean lines, and a warm color palette creating a refined and inviting environment. Carefully curated public and private areas provide versatility, accommodating both social gatherings and personal retreats.
Modernity and minimalism define the villa’s aesthetic, while Mediterranean influences enrich its character. This thoughtful integration of architecture and interior design ensures that the villa stands as a harmonious and functional living space (Credit: Studio Barreca & La Varra, 2009).
Alghero, Italy
Fostering Urban Growth Through Landscape Design, Architecture, and Identity
The project in Alghero, Italy, transforms the Maria Pia area into a harmonious intersection of tourism, ecology, and local identity. It integrates hospitality, an expansive urban park, and diverse recreational facilities, all aligned with Sardinia’s Regional Landscape Plan to balance sustainability and connectivity.
As a team member at 5+1AA Studio, I contributed to the architectural vision, urban planning, and landscape strategy. The design merges Sardinia’s vernacular forms and materials with contemporary elements, creating structures that harmonize with their natural and urban contexts.
Urban planning reconnects fragmented layers of the Maria Pia area through corridors linking the Calich wetland to the coastline, fostering ecological continuity and encouraging social interaction. Landscape design incorporates native vegetation, dunes, and pine forests to shape pathways, recreation zones, and a self-sustaining ecological system. The Calich park forms a vital interface between built and natural environments, offering trails, viewpoints, and piers to enhance user experiences.
This integrated approach unites architecture, urban planning, landscape design, and identity to create a dynamic and meaningful environment that preserves ecological integrity while honoring Sardinia’s heritage (Credit: 5+1AA Studio, 2011).
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