Progetto 1077

Guidotti Architetti, Andrea Frapolli Architetto, Ingegneri Pedrazzini Guidotti, 2011 - 2012

The building stands on a corner plot in the historic Vela district, at the foot of Castelgrande in Bellinzona. Thanks in part to a deliberate urban planning approach, the neighbourhood has retained its original late 19th-century character, defined by detached villas surrounded by gardens.Positioned at the centre of the plot, the building contains four apartments, one on each floor. In keeping with the character of the existing villas, and due to the high groundwater table, the ground floor is raised above the level of the garden. Access to the building is through a covered outdoor area on the lower ground floor, set below street level and reached by means of a staircase and a ramp. This level accommodates the service spaces, including the technical room and laundry facilities. From here, the lift provides direct access to the apartments.

The 360-degree glazed open-plan layout allows maximum freedom in the internal organisation of the spaces, offering a high degree of flexibility and customisation. The reinforced-concrete structure has been rationalised and reduced to its essential elements, in keeping with the chosen architectural concept. Four columns—one on each façade—support the building, while the three internal service cores, housing the lift, staircase and technical shaft, also provide the necessary lateral stability. The increased thickness of the floor slabs along the glazed perimeter allows the interior and exterior floor surfaces to remain flush, while at the same time stiffening the slabs where the cantilevers are greatest.

The depth of the terraces varies according to orientation and the degree of solar protection required. Their dimensions are designed to maximise solar gain during the colder months while providing optimal shading in summer. This passive strategy is complemented by a system of horizontally sliding screens, which also provide privacy within the apartments wherever required.