Villa aan het meer.
Lago Maggiore, Locarno
De villa fungeerde oorspronkelijk als zomerresidentie voor de bewoners van het zeventiende-eeuwse Locarno-kasteel. De villa functioneerde ook het hele jaar door als wateropvangcapaciteit.
The main building of the villa forms a U shape around an enclosed courtyard with a covered open foyer containing a large open fireplace. By staining the window frames and shutters a deep black/brown a beautiful graphic contrast was achieved with the original cream/white plaster.
De bijbehorende tuin van de villa is door ons volledig opnieuw ontworpen. Extra toegang tot de tuinen vanuit het huis is bereikt door de creatie van een monumentale trap, die door het opnemen van een halve draai in het ontwerp het terras logisch aan de oever van het meer plaatst.
Het uitgangspunt van het project was het behoud van de oorspronkelijke structuur. Dit werd bereikt door lokale ambachtslieden in te schakelen om het werk uit te voeren met behulp van traditionele methoden en materialen die specifiek zijn voor de lokale omgeving.
When choosing materials and colours additional to the original, the aim was to select options that were natural, original and subdued.
The hall façade was enclosed with glass framed with dark slim steel and now forms the formal living room. The salon located above the hall became the master bedroom with en-suite bathroom. The righthand wing of the villa become a study and dining room/kitchen while the left hand wing is now a guest house with an informal living space and studio above.
To improve the ingress of natural light into the living spaces additional windows were installed into discreet, strategic, positions throughout the building. These additions also greatly inhance the appreciation of the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
To produce the custom designed interiors and new wooden floors, Dutch craftsmen were employed as they have extensive knowledge of the materials selected, which allows them to produce work to a far higher standard of craftmanship.
For the kitchen, bathrooms and cabinet work the most beautiful wood veneers and stone slabs available were selected.
The original pool has been reduced in size to allow for more green space and at the rear of the garden a pavilion with an outdoor kitchen has been added.
The new pavilion affords a phenomenal new view of both the house and its surroundings.
