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RESIDENZA LE STELLE, LOCARNO, SWITZERLAND
I’m proud that we played a part in designing a special building
Francesco Buzzi, Buzzi Studio Di Architettura
in an apartment building,” says Buzzi. This is partly achieved by three different interior floor heights – 2.31 metres for the kitchens, 2.62 metres for the bedrooms and 2.93 metres for the reception rooms. Where necessary, two steps take you up and down between the different levels. Varying configurations give each apartment different character too. Some reception rooms face the internal landscaped court, others the river side of the development. Even the loggias, which were conceived as external space, can be turned into an enclosed conservatory if the occupants prefer.
PROJECT DETAILS Architect:
Buzzi Studio Di Architettura Brick facade design: ROB Technologies Structural engineer: Anastasi SA, Locarno Main Contractor: Garzoni SA, Lugano Brick manufacture: Keller
Steel bracket system: Pfungen Windows:
Baumgartner Ag, Hagendorn
Use of changing window shapes adds to the seemingly random diversity; however, because 90 per cent of them are of just three standard sizes there is still a sense of unity.
More ordered street-side design reflects one-way traffic flow
The architecture of the apartment block facing Via Varenna presents a more linear structure, both in more regular floor plans and the arrangement of the brick cladding facade. This was Buzzi Studio’s design response to the one-way traffic flow of the street.
Another difference is the fully glazed ground floor on its street side, which is occupied by shops. The first floor of this building is meant for office space with the remaining floors all apartments. The two
river-facing blocks at Residenza Le Stelle are entirely apartments.
Proud to play a part in creating an award-winning building
Completed in 2015, Residenza Le Stelle was one of the winners in the Multi Unit Housing – Mid Rise category of the prestigious Architizer A+Awards 2016. Entries are judged by a panel of luminaries and thought leaders from fields as diverse as fashion, publishing, product design, real estate development and technology. “We were very pleased to win the award – a great surprise,” says Buzzi. “Sometimes you get rewarded for courage in what you’re doing. As far as I am aware I think we’ve done something that’s a first on this scale.”
He explains that using the robot-built cladding was partly a response to growing sector pressure to cut costs through quicker non-manual construction methods. However, Buzzi Studio had also taken the opportunity to explore the creative and expressive potential of imprecision and lack of visual alignment.
“I’m proud that we played a part in designing a special building. Together with the client we wanted to show that you could do better without having to spend too much.”
Judging by the plaudits from his architectural peers, they’ve succeeded in that aim.
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