Built Against a Rock Face on a Forested Piece of Land, It Is This Swiss Villa’s Closeness to Nature That Makes It Such a Success
When you first see the intimidating exterior of this villa in Lugano, Switzerland, it is difficult to imagine what is secreted away behind its high walls. Built on a plot that sits between a road and a formidable rock face, the concrete building seems to hang from the mountainside, and its minimalist geometric facade blends in with its wooded surrounds – so much so that there is no hint as to what lies within.
One of the most notable works of Swiss architect Mario Campi, the villa was originally designed in the mid-1960s for painter Felice Filippini, whose only request was that Campi include a north-facing studio with ample light for the artist’s painting practice. Unfortunately the next tenant – Bulgarian-born French musician Alexis Weissenberg – was not as respectful of Campi’s design, and he transformed the interiors by covering up the ceiling as well as the wooden and concrete walls. Once described by Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan as ‘one of the best pianists of our time’, it seems that Weissenberg was not as sensitive to design as he was to music.
Several years passed before the villa found new owners, needing a special pair who would be able to see past its existing interiors and appreciate its architecture and unusual location. Happily, François Droulers and Chiara Costacurta were such people, and set to work restoring the building to its former glory.
Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av House and Leisure.
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Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av House and Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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At The Breakfast Table With Jonty Rhodes And Family
Recently renovated, the historic Cape Town home of Jonty and Melanie Rhodes is an adaptable base for an active, clean-eating clan of six
LUNCH IN THE GARDEN with siblings Bronwyn and Jonathan Cane
Alfresco gatherings are the order of the day at this updated century-old semi – the home of a design-centric sister and brother in Brixton, Joburg
IN THE KITCHEN with Karen Dudley and family
For Karen Dudley, food informs the family dynamic and her home is as multilayered and as delicious a delight as her colourful personality and cooking style
THE TRADITIONAL KITCHEN
The perfect piece to pull together a country-style kitchen is a beautiful wooden table that will age with time and hold its place in the memories made around it.
IN THE FRAME
'The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light.’
DRINKS AT THE TABLE with David Cope and Donné Bullivant
A dream kitchen renovation meant wine lovers Dave Cope and Donné Bullivant could finally settle down in their wondrously moody City Bowl apartment
THE MODULAR KITCHEN
DECOR TIP Modular elements like these USM Haller systems are a great way to create interesting, non-permanent storage that can be customised to your needs.
SUPPER IN THE BARN with the Thatenhorst family
Munich-based interior designer Stephanie Thatenhorst transformed the barn at her parents’ farm in Bavaria into an eclectic family retreat
BREAKING BREAD
The pendulum has swung back for this nutritious, crusty staple of flour, yeast, water and time – the much-beloved artisanal loaf
SNACKS ON THE TERRACE with sisters Vicky Crease and Maira Koutsoudakis
The traditional Cycladic home of dynamic sisters Vicky Crease and Maira Koutsoudakis on the island of Serifos is a reminder of what it means to be a part of a close-knit family