A good project requires a good idea. For good work, mutual trust between client and architect is essential. This is the basis for the new building that has sprung up in Mendrisio, which groups five companies of the historic Rezzonico company under one roof.

The wooden structure is flexible and modular, and the facade is worthy representative of the group of companies now recognized under one name.

The available space is narrow and elongated and the building fills it, trying to tie existing and new volumes together: two tall concrete towers, a light wooden body suspended horizontally between the two and generously jutting out at the ends. A gesture sought and intended to show the lightness of this second material contrasted with the solidity of the first.

The long façade, transparent and translucent at the same time, by day accompanies the busy traffic of commuters and potential customers, and by night illuminates the street by showcasing the products and the new logo.

Inside, the narrow and elongated space is divided into two floors with different rooms, both in size and light. The structure with rectangular pillars and longitudinal beams is the real protagonist of these spaces, marked and rhythmic by it.

The mysterious rooftop invites one to browse, discovering an unexpected terrace, at once an open-air exhibition and a client lounge. The protagonist is a 360-degree view of two iconic Mendrisiotto hills, Monte Generoso and San Giorgio, caught above the vineyards and rooftops of Mendrisio.

The design of the new offices of Basilese Insurance in Manno is mainly based on the desire to get closer to the customer. For this reason, it was decided to place the offices on the ground floor and to take advantage of the large windows facing the square to have more contact with the public.

Access to the interior space is directly from the window located to the south. One then arrives at a cozy waiting area with armchairs and small tables. There is also a refreshment area with an open kitchen for customers and employees. Completing the front part of the office is the employee work area made up of desks and completely open spaces.

The back part made of enclosed spaces and glazed boxes provides more privacy in case of customer interviews or phone calls that need confidentiality. Finally, at the back of the premises, there is space for the services and back office.

The bright work space, colorful furnishings and sophisticated design give the offices a pleasant and sophisticated character. Customers are thus welcomed into a dynamic environment, while employees are provided with a comfortable work space.

The context of scattered houses and neighboring undeveloped parcels of land oblige a rigorous design of building volumes: the perimeters of the new building are imagined precise and oriented with the aim of determining an indication of development of the area and, at the same time, clarifying its presence in the territory.

In addition to orientation with respect to cardinal points and thus to sunshine, the project is called upon to confront the neighborhood: the architectural proposal favors open views to the southeast and avoids orienting the overlooks both toward the southwest mapping, in light of the important volume authorized and not yet built by the neighboring owners, and toward Via Valle Maggiore, the transit and access road to the entire subdivision.

The building develops in width until it occupies the entire available dimension by standing on the building setbacks. In depth it comes as close as possible to the northwest boundary to allow the creation of the driveway entrance lane. To avoid excavation and backfill work, the spaces of the garage and technical rooms are built above ground.

The project is articulated within a single volume, arranged on two levels.

From the access area, through dedicated paths that overcome lower-than-storey elevation differences, there is independent access to the two residential units that share parking areas and technical and storage rooms.

By taking advantage of the existing height difference between the access road and the tax plane of the planned plot, increasing it until the maximum allowed accommodation on the boundaries is reached, it is possible to provide the necessary privacy to the garden towards the valley.

The relationship between transparency and privacy turns out to be central in the development of this project: the need for well-lit rooms through the use of perimeter, continuous, full-height glazed surfaces compels special attention to the issue of intimacy.

The design response is to circumscribe the Glassbox with a protective concrete skin, with a load-bearing function from which the structures hang, made at a certain distance from the transparent facades, in defense of the family unit.

The distance between the insulated perimeter and the concrete shell becomes the diaphragm between the private sphere and the outside world, an area of respect that manifests itself as a succession of empty volumes, animated by the shadows carried, on several heights, with diversified orientations and views.

The concrete shell is complemented by the screens made of perforated natural aluminum sheet with concrete-like coloring. The metal surfaces complete the protective shell while ensuring permeability of light and air.

An open-plan unit is organized on the upper floor, a compositional solution that allows for the limitation of surfaces intended for circulation. The moved section ensures the division between lowered living area and raised sleeping area and grants greater height to the large living room with linear development. The unit is provided with large outdoor appurtenant spaces, some of which are covered, that are developed all around the perimeter of the rooms. A large gash in the roof ensures the relationship with the sky.

On the lower level is organized the second accommodation open to the garden and swimming pool. A large porch, built at the ground floor level, raised above the garden level, allows a view of the mountains beyond the boundary hedge.