CASTAGNOLA | HERZOG & DE MEURON
Lugano, Switzerland
Description provided by the architect. The Via Cortivo borders the property to the north. The steep slope, covered with dense, forest-like vegetation, screens the terrace below from public view. The southern side of the property facing the lake is flat
A Row of Eight Buildings
Superimposed Geometries
The repetitive basic structure of the project is defined by vertical walls placed perpendicular to the slope. Circular, horizontal, and vertical cutouts are superimposed on this orthogonal order in the form of arches and courtyards. The resulting, geometrically complex spatial fabric creates overlapping inside and outside spaces marked by an unusual play of shadow. The same circular geometry applies to small spaces like elevators and bathrooms. This generates a flowing transition between the larger rooms and a spatial continuum of inside and outside that runs through several stories.
An Architecture of the South
The concrete loadbearing structure has a mineral stucco finish. Teakwood is used for the windows and doors; gardens, terraces, and roofs are paved with stone or planted with greenery. The exceptional layout of the rooms, the beautiful light, and the impressive views are enhanced in the interior by a quiet materiality out of teakwood floors and white plastered walls.The staggered layout and subdivision of the buildings, the brown mineral stucco, and the precise placement of white soffits and reveals within the façade, all contribute to the impression that the new buildings fit quite naturally into the gardens. From the lake, the villas are perceived as an organically integrated structure.
Landscaping
The character of the Via Cortivo has not changed. The large trees were carefully preserved in the course of construction; smaller trees and bushes that did have to be felled have been replaced. As before, a diversity of dense vegetation covers the northern slope, providing excellent screening. Towards the south, the terraces of the eight villas form one large landscaped area, with the individual gardens separated by islands of greenery. The staggered layout of the buildings and the vegetation enhance privacy. Tall pine trees, similar in size and girth to the trees of the Villa Favorita, provide shade without blocking the view of the lake.Landscape architect Michel Desvigne shared the architects’ goal of incorporating the gardens into the overall fabric of the Villa Favorita.
Project Key Data
Project Name: Castagnola
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
Client: Fausto Candolfi
Type: Houses and Residential (Eight villas with parking garage. Amenities: Complete fit-out)
Realization: 2011 – 2017
Project Team
Partners: Jacques Herzog, Pierre de Meuron, Christine Binswanger (Partner in Charge)
Project Team: Martin Fröhlich (Associate, Project Director), Dieter Mangold (Associate), Kentaro Ishida (Associate), Giulio Rigoni
Fernando Alonso, Alessandro Farina, Hans Focketyn, Alexander Sadao
Franz, Yuko Himeno, Karina Hüssner, Anna Jach, Ondrej Janku, Mateo
Mori Meana, Adriana Müller, Jochen Seelos, Basil Spiess, Christian Voss,
Thomas de Vries
Planning
Landscape Design: Michel Desvigne Paysagiste, Paris, France
Structural Engineering: Lurati Muttoni Partner SA, Mendrisio, Switzerland
Consulting
Building Physics: IFEC Consulenze SA, Rivera, Switzerland
Facade Engineering: Patocchi Sagl, Cevio, Switzerland
Geometrician: Lucchini & Lippuner SA, Viganello, Switzerland
Geotechnical Consultant: Urs Luechinger, Pregassona-Lugano, Switzerland
Security Consultant: Gruner AG, Basel, Switzerland
Fire Protection: IFEC Consulenze SA, Rivera, Switzerland
Contractors
Electrical: Alpiq InTec Svizzera SA, Rivera, Switzerland
Plumbing: Consorzio Tech-InstaSA, Lotti Impianti SA, Silvano Pozzi SAA, Lugano, Switzerland
Ventilation: Consorzio Tech-InstaSA, Lotti Impianti SA, Silvano Pozzi SAA, Lugano, Switzerland
Concrete Works: Impresa generale di costruzioni Garzoni SA, Lugano, Switzerland
Heating: Consorzio Tech-InstaSA, Lotti Impianti SA, Silvano Pozzi SAA, Lugano, Switzerland
Windows: Huber Fenster AG, Lugano, Switzerland
Building Data
Site Area: 61,354 sqft / 5,700 m2
Gross Floor Area (GFA): 47, 254 sqft / 4,390 m2
Footprint: 19,537 sqft / 1,815 m2
Gross Volume (GV): 1,172,802 cbft / 33,210 m2
