Village M was designed as a horizontal, urban complex consisting of traditional, Mediterranean, patio houses and a series of empty spaces, such as piazzas, paths, cycleways, public parks and water basins. The latter were not only aesthetically important. They also collected rain water and convert it using a water purification system to supply domestic water or an irrigation system for the green areas in the village. The internal courtyard of each housing module M1-2-3, a typical architectural feature in the historic, Italian tradition, not only transformed into an important bio-climatic tool, but also took on the role of green space within the house. A system of double, sliding (horizontally and vertically) glass walls and sunshade panels provides a space conceived as a winter garden, capable of distributing the warmth of the sun inside the space during cold spells, whereas a system of sunshades (covering the wall) guarantees optimum natural ventilation during hot spells.

The M1-2-3 Module is a flexible modular system, which can be adapted to various shapes, sizes and colours. The system to group the various residential modules is left to the user’s choice and can satisfy a spatial requirement beginning with a size of 25 m2 for one or two people, up to a size suitable for a family of 6/8 people.

The urban layout is not only adaptable, but also has a flexible and structural function. The structure consists of 60 cm-wide, self-supporting, lamellar wood panels (xlam method), which enable the structure to be partially self-built.  The internal surface of the house is also flexible. The central part contains the hallways and utility rooms, whereas the remaining space overlooks the patio. The basic module measures 3.8x3.8m. However, it is possible to go up to a size of 1,000m2 by adding more modules, which can be used as public structures, or polyfunctional and institutional spaces in general.