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.

Casa Paradiso

The intervention stems from the need to expand the living spaces of the ground floor of an existing house, adding a studio and a generous living area: the project involves the total refurbishment of the building in addition to the addition of volumes placed in continuity with the existing one.
The space to the northwest houses the new living room, entirely glazed, in relation to the outdoor space and the pool. On the side, adjacent to the new volume, a space is designed to accommodate a study room, also glazed, to replace the small garage.

The transparent architectures are simultaneously subtended by an exposed concrete plane – supported by blades at right angles to each other – that protects them, unifying the project in a single gesture and generating at the same time a series of new covered and uncovered outdoor spaces with different functions: entrance, porch, summer dining and access areas to the swimming pool and the new parking shed.

The design respects the existing building. The new architecture specifies the perimeter of the building by embracing the existing house, thus redefining, filtering, the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces.

This project is part of an intervention that involves the gradual restoration of the historic building, designed by architect Tita Carloni in 1960, located in Via Nassa, the only building on the street with a direct view of Lake Lugano.
The project involved the complete renovation of the space formerly used as an office.
 The entrance crosses the apartment and separates the core of the services, while the living area, with its double exposure and its length of 17 meters, keeps intact the matrix of the original project, creating a continuous space that includes the kitchen, the study, the formal dining area and the living room, ending with the glass window on Ceresio.
This space connects the quieter and cooler inner courtyard with the sunnier and best viewed front on Via Nassa.
Facing the green inner courtyard are the bedrooms, including a full suite with bathroom and walk-in closet, while the living room overlooks the lake and has a comfortable terrace.

The building winds around the new flat area, settles in a forward position, facing the lake. The building has two main levels: the first houses the rooms and services and is oriented toward the lake; the second houses the living room, lobby and kitchen and, while maintaining the visual relationship with the lake, is oriented toward the south and the garden.

The new large flat space, which can be used for outdoor activities and is also usable by people with mobility impairments, becomes the hub of all the pathways. From the plaza all the outdoor connections unfold, offering guests a continuous path to and from all levels of the garden: amphitheater, pergola, plaza, and lawn area.
The new Miralago piazzetta is intended as a sensory pathway that allows guests, even those in wheelchairs, to reach the flower bed, reach out to touch the water in the fountain, and proceed to the belvedere.

Rooms and services occupy a single floor. This choice, in addition to providing better control of guests, makes it possible to compact the built volume and allows for greater economy, not only in construction but also in operation. Moreover, the rooms can enjoy the lake view, the same orientation and have the same configuration.

The living room, open to the lake and the Brissago islands, is oriented toward the small square and the garden. An opening glass surface determines a solution of continuity between inside and outside.