Residential settlement, Novazzano, Switzerland 1988-1992

Project: 1988
Construction: 1989-1992
Partner: arch. Ferruccio Robbiani
Client: Sergio Ponzio
Site area: 19'200 m²
Useful surface: 11'600 m²
Volume: 58'000 m³

The complex is a small estate developed to provide subsidized housing, a proper settlement of one hundred dwellings. These low-cost, four-story apartment blocks are organized in a U-shaped block on the upper part of the site. The block surrounds a paved yard which lies on top of an underground parking-area, while the two wings form the opposite sides of a second open courtyard. A bridge connects the lower courtyard to a small shopping centre. The estate is entered on the ground floor from the back. It opens up to reveal a covered portico created through a succession of round openings on vertical planes giving a surprising visual effect. The block with the portico forms the third closed side of the courtyard, while the fourth remains open to view. The use of different colours characterizes the façades: salmon pink for the outer façades, ochre for the recessed volumes and blue for the intermediate service areas.