on the inclined banks of lake lugano, herzog & de meuron has completed a series of eight villas that form a single, interconnected complex. the residences, each three to four stories high, follow the site’s steep topography to offer impressive lake views. located in ticino, an italian-speaking region in southern switzerland, the dwellings are sited on the former grounds of villa favorita, a sprawling property built in the 17th century.

herzog de meuron castagnola
the project is located on the inclined banks of lake lugano
image © studio daulte (also main image)

 

 

the eight herzog & de meuron-designed villas are connected with linear, cascading staircases that resemble the stepped paths typically built into the slopes of the neighboring hillsides. living rooms and kitchens are found at garden level, while bedrooms with adjoining terraces are positioned upstairs. from the road to the north, narrow paths lead to the buildings’ separate entrances. meanwhile, a car elevator accesses the underground garage, where all of the residences are connected.

herzog de meuron castagnola
the eight villas form a single, interconnected complex
image © studio daulte

 

 

‘the repetitive basic structure of the project is defined by vertical walls placed perpendicular to the slope,’ explain the architects. ‘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.’

herzog de meuron castagnola
the dwellings are sited on the former grounds of villa favorita
image © herzog & de meuron / photo: dani hunziker

 

 

herzog & de meuron worked with landscape architect michel desvigne who helped ensure that the gardens were incorporated within the overall fabric of villa favorita. as a result, the character of the site has not changed as a result of the intervention. large trees have been carefully preserved, and smaller trees and bushes that did have to be felled have been replaced. the staggered layout of the buildings enhance privacy, while the trees provide shade without blocking views of the lake.

herzog de meuron castagnola
the residences follow the steep topography to offer impressive lake views
image © herzog & de meuron / photo: dani hunziker

herzog de meuron castagnola
each property is three to four stories high
image © herzog & de meuron / photo: dani hunziker

herzog de meuron castagnola
the scheme features circular, horizontal, and vertical cutouts
image © herzog & de meuron / photo: dani hunziker

herzog de meuron castagnola
the character of the site has not changed as a result of the built intervention
image © studio daulte

herzog de meuron castagnola
landscape architect michel desvigne helped ensure that the gardens were fully incorporated
image © studio daulte

herzog de meuron castagnola
the project is located in ticino, an italian-speaking region in southern switzerland
image © studio daulte

 

 

1/4
herzog de meuron castagnola residences lugano switzerland designboom
 
herzog de meuron castagnola residences lugano switzerland designboom
 
herzog de meuron castagnola residences lugano switzerland designboom
 
herzog de meuron castagnola residences lugano switzerland designboom
 

project info:

 

name: castagnola
location: lugano, switzerland
concept design: 18/05/2009 – 18/08/2009
schematic design: 01/09/2009 – 31/01/2010
design development: 10/2010 – 05/2011
construction documents: 05/2011 – 06/2013
construction services: 08/2011 – 03/2017
client: fausto candolfi
client representative: fausto candolfi

 

herzog & de meuron project team —
partners: jacques herzog, pierre de meuron, christine binswanger (partner in charge)
project team: martin fröhlich (associate, project director), dieter mangold (associate) bis 2011, giulio rigoni ab 2012, christian voss, anna jach

alessandro farina, fernando alonso, hans focketyn, alexander sadao franz, martin fröhlich, yuko himeno, karina hüssner, kentaro ishida (associate), ondrej janku, mateo mori meana, adriana müller, jochen seelos, basil spiess

 

planning —
construction management: encotech SAGL, lugano, switzerland
electrical engineering: pro enggineering AG, basel, switzerland
HVAC engineering: tebit haustechnik AG, binningen, switzerland
landscape design: michel desvigne paysagiste, paris, france
plumbing engineering: mauri t. & banci f., lugano-davesvco, switzerland
plumbing engineering: grünig&partner AG, liebefeld, switzerland
structural engineering: lurati muttoni partner SA, mendrisio, switzerland

 

consulting —
building physics: IFEC consulenze SA, rivera, switzerland
facade engineering: patocchi sagl, cevio, switzerland
fire protection: IFEC consulenze SA, rivera, switzerland
geometrician: lucchini & lippuner SA, viganello, switzerland
geotechnical consultant: urs luechinger, pregassona-lugano, switzerland
security consultant: eyeswiss sagl, barbengo, switzerland

 

contractors —
electrical: alpiq
flooring / subflooring: alberani parketti, lecce, italy
heating: tech insta / lotti
plumbing: tech insta / lotti
rohbau: garzoni SA
ventilation: tech insta / lotti

 

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 m3

 

use / function: houses and residential
eight villas with parking garage
amenities: complete fit-out