Prêt-à-Hàbiter 2 | Mino Caggiula Architects

PRÊT – À – HABITER 2

location: BRÉ-ALDESAGO, LUGANO, SWITZERLAND
built-up area: 442 SQM
date: 2012 – 2015

The creation of a human-scaled architecture: this was the goal behind the two Prêt-à-Habiter villas.

The origin of the process was the precise request of the developer to design two detached homes at the same time, placed in different locations and able to be sold as attractive real estate operations for end-users still unknown.

Therefore, starting from a hypothetical blank sheet of paper, we let the location inspire us, as well as a guiding concept that embodies the values and ideals that unconsciously reside in every individual and that pursue our architectural ideals. From this peculiar mental process, the concept based on the ideas of Prêt-à-Porter, Prêt-à-Manger and Prêt-à-Habiter was born. Logics of human subconscious that make the individual want to possess and consume symbols of social belonging.

Villa Prêt-à-Habiter 2 stands on Monte Brè, in the prestigious Brè-Adelsago district, characterized by greenery and extraordinary views toward the Gulf of Lugano.

On the outside, corten cladding identifies the facades and creates a composition of geometric modules that combine in a precise rhythm made of proportion and measure.

The transparency of glass, on the other hand, characterizes the main front ensuring absolute visual permeability and a constant connection with the surrounding landscape.

Beauty identifies with the person as a whole and the architectural object becomes a symbol of social identity, a structure ready to be inhabited and to include in the individual’s daily life elements that they can identify with and that succeed in satisfying the sense of property.