SWISSHOUSE XL COLDRERIO
SWISSHOUSE XL COLDRERIO
2023
Coldrerio
Switzerland
Architecture represents various stages of our evolution, much like humanity’s transition from childhood to puberty, initiating a significant evolutionary phase filled with opportunities and choices that shape our future on the planet. Although the journey toward a mature and conscious life is still long, this phase presents crucial moments of reflection and growth. This project allows us to look beyond superficiality, reflecting the deeper meaning of today’s architecture and construction, as witnesses to the spirit of our time.
The project aims for a reduction in both volumetric and environmental impact through a blend of various phases and elements with the landscape, gently positioning itself in a subordinate manner relative to the precious natural context of the site. Our first visit to this part of the Mediterranean filled us with wonder at the tranquility this place imparts. From this calm, one looks toward the horizon where the blue of the sea merges with the blue of the sky—this is not meant as a trivial observation. While it’s a spectacle common to other pearls of the Mediterranean basin, each has its own unique characteristics. This corner of paradise, perched on the hills overlooking Vallona, is no exception. The particular situation created by the coastal formation makes us literally float above the waves, in a state of suspension.
Embraced by the surrounding nature, the project delicately positions itself like a historic citadel lying on a spur, cutting through the slope and creating a basin that echoes the geological irregularities of the site. The spur rises into the void, offering an open and curious view of the sea, immersing us in the coastal landscape.
The connection to the land is honored and reflected in the choice of locally sourced materials, with hues that harmonize with the environment. The slanted walls of the spur, which contain most of the guest rooms, are made of diagonal brick lattice, a grid that allows greenery to climb, blending nature with the landscape and acting as a continuity element. The volumes above reflect a bucolic vision of ancient small-scale settlements, evoking a spirit of dimensional relationships that bring human spaces closer to the surrounding context. The rotation of the building volumes, resting on the roof garden, highlights the intention to use natural light as a compositional element to reduce scale and vary the perception of the new presence within the landscape.
The care in integrating a building of considerable size in a manner that respects the context is essential to communicate the architecture’s ability to be proactive in introducing elements of balance into the landscape. The colors, textures, and essential geometries contribute to the project’s harmony with the natural context surrounding it, emphasizing our intention to restore the balance of the earth through sensitive technology and a potential connection to the intelligence of nature.
