Kollektiv Marudo
A Concrete Extension on Lake Maggiore
Photography by Alex Gempeler Architekturfotografie.
An old House into a Contemporary Retreat
Commissioned to convert an old rural house on the shore of Lake Maggiore in the Swiss canton of Ticino into a contemporary holiday home, Swiss architecture practice Kollektiv Marudo subtly complemented the property’s vernacular character with a contemporary design language of clean lines and exposed concrete that strikes a measured balance between tradition and modernity.
Thoroughly reimagined and expanded interiors that open onto a new dining terrace, plus a new guest room ensconced in a renovated stone-built shed, constitute the epitome of modern lakeside living, while a concrete lift tower connecting the house with the new parking deck above the property adds a sculptural touch of brutalist rigor to the idyllic setting.
Make it stand out
Hemmed in by the water on one side and the steep hillside on the other, the house was built in 1941 as an enfilade due to its narrow footprint which the team have retained as it ensures views of both the lake and the Brissago Islands from every room. A small extension to accommodate a second bedroom adds to the enfilade while a new internal layout centred on an open-plan dining and kitchen area and adjacent living room allow for contemporary living without disturbing the original facades. White-painted walls and ceilings, grey cement terrazzo flooring and timber window frames, plus minimalist built-in furnishings make for interiors of understated elegance.
Seamlessly blending in with the original structure, a cast-in-situ concrete terrace designed for outdoor dining also functions as an entrance patio as it incorporates the new lift tower whilst also creating a counterpoint to the traditionally designed stone-paved siting terrace on the other side of the house.
A few steps away from the main house, a ‘Ticino rustico’, a traditional stone-built hut that is common in the region, was converted into a guest room with ensuite bathroom. In juxtaposition to its dry-stone and board-formed concrete exterior, the hut’s timber-clad interior makes for a minimalist yet cosy hideaway where the views of the lake take centre stage thanks to wall-to-wall patio doors opening up onto a small balcony – for as is the case with the main house, Lake Maggiore has always been the entire property’s raison d'etre.
