Mario Botta, Single family home, Bernareggio
  Project type  
The house is separated from a row of townhouses, also designed by Botta, by a private drive. Its plan is based on the same east-west axes as the rectangular grid of the ten row houses.
The project is characterised by the contrast between the eastern wall and the arcade opposite it.
The former consists of two walls: an outer wall finished in exposed brick and an inner wall of structural concrete.
On the same side, an outdoor staircase connects the garden with the third floor above ground. The double wall also provides insulation against noise from the road.
Where the south and west façades come together, opposite the eastern façade, is a large hollow space: the big arcade on which the ground floor and first floor rooms open.
On the ground floor are the entrance and the swimming pool and gym area, which can be joined with the arcade by opening the large sliding glass walls.
On the middle and upper levels are the living area, some of the bedrooms and the library and fireplace. Large walls of steel and glass face onto these rooms.
Architecturally, the focal point is the juxtaposition of the wall on the eastern façade, with the rigidity of its masonry structure, and the large arcade that visibly interrupts its continuity.
A similar contrast is repeated inside in the volume vertically linking the three interior levels, where the most private part of the house is located.
The house is built on more than 2,500 m2 of land, and has a total surface area of 713 m2 . Finishes have been selected with great care: wooden floors inside and golden beola outside.
The walls are plastered and finished with marble dust and lime putty; window and door frames are made of aluminium; doors and windows are made of oak.
Laura della Badia
Mario Botta interview's
Rovereto Museum of Modern Art
TPL shelter in Lugano





