In the Lugano municipality of Paradiso on the northern slope of the San Salvatore, maurusfrei Architekten have designed an upmarket residential complex that offers panorama views of the lake and distinct added value. Using the steep terrain, the architects offset the apartment volumes against one another within a terraced structure. All the apartments consequently afford impressive vistas over Lake Lugano and enjoy utmost privacy on the patios.
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.
All the apartments feature an open-plan living and dining area equipped with a premium-quality kitchen facing the room and direct access to the patios. Apartments at the foot of the complex also boast a connection to the garden. As a result of the cleverly developed floor plans and orientation to the north, all the rooms have unobstructed vistas of the lake. Floor-to-ceiling panorama windows in the rooms consequently define the alignment of the residential units. The bedrooms feature high-quality, partially glazed en-suite bathrooms that even offer residents views of the lake while showering. Storage and auxiliary rooms that are built into the slope and the obligatory underground garage complete the range of domestic spaces.
Premium quality, distinct and inviting: the materiality of the interior is in harmony with the building’s outer appearance. Subtle natural tones, lots of light and consistently reduced design language determine the furnishings of the modern apartments. The impact of the high-quality, warmly inviting oak parquet flooring is effectively emphasised by the white of the walls. This distinct and yet relaxed and inviting ambience provides the perfect setting for taking in the magnificent vistas across the lake. Meticulously designed installations in the kitchen and bathroom offer a superlative level of convenience and bring order to the rooms.
