Details
Type
Collective and modular housing
Location
Canobbio, Switzerland
Client
Canobbio, perched on a hillside north of Lugano, Switzerland, is a historic settlement with roots spanning over 1,300 years. In recent decades, the village has experienced rapid growth, doubling its population since the 1970s. Today, it features a blend of traditional and contemporary residential developments.
The 1+1 project addresses this evolving context with a sustainable pilot initiative for modular wooden housing. The design focuses on a compact footprint, preserving half of the site as a terraced residential garden. Positioned on a 30-degree southeast-facing slope, the building opens toward the southwest, offering sweeping views of the surrounding hilltops and glimpses of Lake Lugano. In contrast, two neighboring developments use a more conventional linear typology that spans the full site width. These buildings forego the potential for a southwest-facing facade with lake views, offering only frontal street views and obstructing the sightlines of neighboring residences.
The building’s elongated, cube-like form is supported by a circulation core and a 3.4 x 3.4-meter column grid. This modular layout allows floor slabs to be configured into one, two, or three units per floor, adapting seamlessly to changing needs. Each apartment enjoys dual orientation and features generous loggias, while the penthouse is distinguished by private access and panoramic terraces on the top floor.
A shared community garden sits atop the underground parking structure, providing residents with a green space enriched by amenities such as a laundry, gym, and leisure facilities housed in an open arcade on the first floor. This sheltered gallery not only grants access to the garden but also serves as a multifunctional area for relaxation, play, and social interaction.
The façade-loggia system, designed as an independent layer separate from the main structure, ensures easy maintenance and adaptability.
The 1+1 project embodies its typological concept by creating a compact built form that liberates an equivalent area for a terraced garden, achieving a thoughtful balance between constructed and natural spaces.
Type: Parallel study, Special mention
Location: Canobbio, Ticino, Switzerland
Brief: Modular apartments, 774 m2 GA
Year: 2017
Client: Veragouth SA in collaboration with Archfin Sagl investment concept
Coordinator: i2a – istituto internazionale di architettura
Phase / Status: Concept Design