Not only the unfettered views over the lake make the apartments in the «Capo San Martino» complex something special. The exclusivity of the property called for the best possible utilisation of the existing area, while simultaneously maintaining the views over Lake Lugano from the flanking path. Moreover, in terms of its form and materiality, the aim was to ensure optimal integration of the expansive building within the urban environment.
The culmination of all these prerequisites resulted in a sophisticated and meticulously designed residential complex. Over an area of 8,500 square metres, the architects have arranged 26 apartments of varying sizes. To realise a balanced mixture of two- to four-roomed apartments, all offering a view of the lake, the planners developed an efficient layout incorporating intelligently delineated floor plans. The seven storeys follow the line of the sloping terrain. While the two bottom levels extend far forwards towards the lakeside, simulating protracted natural terraces, the upper four storeys form a block of interlocking volumes. However, the top level is drawn back to create a soft transition into the terrain and the surrounding environs. The terraced design of the complex and the offsets between the volumes facilitate generous and largely protected open areas that extend the living space to the outside. Centrally positioned and recessed access zones form a further break in the building volume, affording it a more compartmentalised appearance. The smooth, light travertine facade emphasizes the geometry of the tiered complex. Elongated, horizontal glazing and modestly designed glass balustrades on the patios also emphasise the reduced look of the building envelope. The overall outward appearance is rounded off through the use of travertine or quarried stone for the flooring and gravel-covered flat roofs.