In a private garden in Genoa, Italy, a small change in elevation became the starting point for an elegant architectural intervention by caarpa and Pietro Bartolomeo D’Albertis. Instead of treating the slope as a challenge, the design team turned it into an opportunity to create a new journey through the landscape while introducing a greenhouse that expands how the garden can be enjoyed.
Working with the existing site, the project combines a sculptural staircase with a transparent garden structure that sits comfortably alongside historic masonry. Together, they create new viewpoints, invite movement through the landscape, and add another layer to the experience of the garden.
A Staircase That Becomes Part of the Landscape
The powder-coated steel staircase is much more than a practical route between two garden levels. With its soft color and sculptural form, it becomes a feature that changes how visitors experience the space as they move through it.
Climbing the staircase is designed as a gradual journey, encouraging both movement and new perspectives across the garden. Instead of simply linking two points, it creates a sequence of views that reveals the landscape from different heights.
A Greenhouse Filled With Light
Continuing naturally from the staircase, the greenhouse feels like the next chapter of the project. Designed as its architectural extension, it introduces a bright, sheltered space while maintaining a close visual connection with the surrounding planting.
Large glazed surfaces frame the greenery from every angle, while the slim metal structure keeps the building light and transparent. Natural light fills the interior throughout the day, making the greenhouse feel like an extension of the garden itself.
Where Historic Masonry Meets Contemporary Design
One of the project’s most appealing qualities is the relationship between existing and new elements. The greenhouse sits comfortably within the existing masonry, creating an architectural conversation without overwhelming what was already there.
The contrast between solid masonry, delicate steel framing, and expansive glass gives each material its own presence while allowing the surrounding vegetation to remain an important part of every view.
A Garden That Glows After Sunset
As daylight fades, the project takes on a completely different atmosphere. Soft lighting highlights the powder-coated steel staircase, turning its sculptural form into a glowing pathway that draws the eye through the garden and up the change in elevation. The illuminated steps become a focal point, giving the landscape a quiet sense of depth after dark.
The greenhouse also reveals a new character in the evening. Warm light spills through its glazed walls, bringing the interior into view while the slim metal frame almost disappears against the night sky. Set against the historic masonry and surrounded by trees, the greenhouse feels like a lantern within the garden, extending its appeal long after the sun has gone down.
Viewed as a whole, the staircase and greenhouse reshape the experience of the garden. One invites exploration through movement, while the other offers a peaceful destination surrounded by greenery.
Together, they extend the enjoyment of the landscape beyond the open air, creating spaces that can be appreciated in different ways throughout the seasons. It’s a reminder that even a modest intervention can completely change how a garden is explored and enjoyed.