Lucia is a weightless, floating micro-home on Lake Como, inspired by the local batél, a 15th-century fishing vessel from Alessandro Manzoni's The Betrothed. Designed for a young, remote-working couple, this sleek, white dwelling offers the freedom to awaken in a new locale each day. Lucia serves as a "pollinator," spreading ideas, culture, and diversity across the lake community. Its mobile design, with a flat bottom and foldable canopy roof, reconnects young people to the area's social fabric while encouraging exploration and new encounters in Lake Como's picturesque setting.

Space efficiency

Rafted as an ideal nest for a young couple, Lucia ingeniously minimises living space while maximising utility within a compact 25 m² footprint. Every square metre is thoughtfully used to create a harmonious living environment that prioritises comfort and efficiency without compromising on style or convenience. Constructed to enhance the power of its flat bottom, Lucia uses an electric engine, eliminating the necessity for a traditional one and ensuring harmonious integration with its environment. Additionally, the innovative adaptive roof technology provides residents with the freedom to enjoy different vistas while preserving privacy.

Multifunctionality

The interior furniture incorporates locally sourced recycled materials like birch tree multlayer palywod panels and waste reclaimed from the lake, reducing shipping costs and enhancing affordability for young people. Lucia's interior design embodies a philosophy centred on versatility and adaptability. Every aspect of the living space is meticulously curated to maximise functionality and comfort, with a focus on customisable, multifunctional furniture pieces. These furnishings are ingeniously designed to seamlessly adapt to the diverse habits and needs of its inhabitants, ensuring that every corner of the living space serves a purpose tailored to individual preferences.The design includes a single-floor layout that ensures wheelchair accessibility throughout the entire space. This consideration makes the environment inclusive for individuals with mobility challenges, promoting equal access and comfort for all.

Social context

Lake Como, once a bustling fishing area, now faces youth migration to cities, leading to an aging population and declining services. With 68% of people projected to live in cities by 2050, remote work could help retain residents, but weak digital infrastructure hinders this. While tourism boosts the economy, it also creates challenges, as dependence on seasonal visitors drives gentrification, raising living costs and displacing locals. Balancing preservation with progress is essential for Lake Como’s resilience, reflecting broader societal trends and the need for strategies to sustain vibrant local communities.

Darsena link

Lucia Projetc advocates for a return to lakeside living of younger generations introducing a network's system of various docking spots called “Darsena Link”, scattered along the lakeshore. These spots work as physical and economical extensions of the traditional villages, functioning also as social and cultural hubs. These multifunctional platforms are developed around 5 sustainabilty pillars : Zero Land-used, Energy Self-efficiency, Social Contamination and Edible Landscape. Accommodating solar panel stations, self-charging spots, cultural markets, social areas for water sports and other activities, and green spaces the Darsena Links help to revitalise and create a new community for the lake region.

Floating living

Lucia, as a traditional fishing boat, worked for centuries as enabler of economic activities of Lake Como, facilitating trade and interactions. Like its precessor, the new Lucia now serves as a cultural and inclusive catalyst by introducing movable living practices. The project seeks to foster a renewed sense of community and a stronger connection to nature. Through its influence, Lucia aims to spread the seeds of cultural richness and inclusivity, nurturing environments where diverse ideas and practices can flourish, ultimately creating vibrant and resilient communities.