GARDENS OF PHAEDRUS, CAGLIARI

The Gardens of Phaedrus act as a hinge between the two urban fabrics, creating a typological hybrid that takes advantage of the sloping sections in both directions. It offers a comprehensive solution to the edge of the site while also addressing the elevation difference within the plot. The building aligns with the street at the upper level and then recedes downhill, creating a softer transition toward the tower blocks below.

At the heart of the complex lies Phaedrus Square, developed around an ancient olive tree that serves as the focal point of the entire site. The square functions as a transitional space, from which both pedestrian and vehicular paths branch out. Vehicles are parked in the open on the lower level, leaving the view of the internal square unobstructed. The square thus becomes a “belvedere” from which the panorama of the hill and Castle of San Michele can be admired—making the castle both a visual reference point and an archetype that inspires the project.

The building’s composition is influenced by the archetype of the medieval castle: towers and limestone stonework alternate with a play of solids and voids, into which large verandas and residential balconies are integrated. Architecturally, the structure is marked by massive, vertical stone elements, contrasted by tripartite colored glass balconies that run horizontally, visually lightening the extended facades. The verandas and balconies are narrower on the street side and become deeper as they open toward the inner square. Steel corten metal grids define the balconies and conceal residential utility elements.

The project is conceived as a symbiosis between garden and architecture. Greenery becomes a fundamental component of the building’s appearance. Natural elements grow vertically from the courtyard up to the rooftops, where panoramic terraces are enhanced with hanging gardens and wooden pergolas, creating a protected and intimate microclimate.

Access to the complex is located at the central part of the street-facing façade. Two offset stone walls create a break between two of the building’s blocks. A covered passageway opens onto Phaedrus Square, where entrances to the various apartments and parking spaces are distributed. A wall of climbing greenery clings to a corten steel grid, welcoming residents and visitors alike.

The building is designed to house 21 apartments across four blocks distributed over three above-ground levels and a semi-basement used for storage units. The building’s morphological and typological characteristics result in a wide variety of housing types, thus expanding the residential offering.