Attraverso!

  • Date: Feb 2025.
  • Type: Competition.
  • Dimension: 7.000 m².
  • Location: Morbio Inferiore, Chiasso, Switzerland.

The project is based on principles of connection, openness, and integration, with particular attention given to the quality of spaces and their usability by users. The volumes are designed to ensure optimal views, while the spatial layout encourages interaction between residents and the city. The arrangement of the buildings is carefully planned to ensure the best orientation and the highest visual quality for users, enhancing the relationship with the surrounding context. All buildings are connected at ground level through a shared space that hosts public and communal functions, fostering encounters and socialization among residents.

n.1 – Roof Plan.
n.2 – P -1.
n.3 – GF.
n.4 – Type Floor.

The squares, including the existing ones, are characterized by a material continuity that creates a coherent architectural language. The addition of a fountain and the design of the space with a unified visual identity strengthen the integration between the different environments.
Each residential unit is designed to foster a relationship with the outside through a play of windows that becomes an element of intergenerational connection. On one side, a more private window connected to the bedroom allows for an intimate connection with the surrounding environment. On the other, a more open window facing public spaces encourages dialogue and social interaction.
This concept also extends vertically: double-height volumes and voids every two floors create continuity between units, preventing common areas from becoming enclosed and reinforcing a sense of community.

n.5 – Connection.
n.6 – Pubblic / Private.
n.7 – Views.

The idea of dividing the project into three buildings—and thus into small communities—supports the creation of social networks, encouraging individuals to identify first with an extended community and then with the entire complex. These levels of interaction also integrate seamlessly with the religious community, which is located in a more private part of the building, yet remains directly connected to the rest of the structure, with easy and inclusive access to all areas.
At the heart of the project lies a central core, a pivotal space that serves as the focal point and the beating heart of the entire complex. This area becomes the meeting point between the buildings and the urban context—a place where residents and the city can interact and share social moments.
The idea of this central space is inspired by the village square, where key services are arranged along the perimeter and are directly accessible from the public space.

n.8 – Elevation.

The decision was made to limit the underground parking to a single level in order to avoid excessive excavation and alteration of the mountain’s profile. By staying within the footprint of the upper floors, the design ensures a harmonious integration with the existing terrain, reducing both environmental and structural impact.
The entire surface area of the project has been carefully calibrated to ensure that public and private spaces are well balanced and harmonized. The square meters allocated to residences, shared areas, and public services have been designed to meet the community’s needs, ensuring an ideal balance between functionality and livability.
Each area is precisely dimensioned to provide maximum comfort and optimal use of space, with the goal of creating an open, dynamic, and inclusive environment. The aim is to design a place where spaces are not only functional but also serve as catalysts for social interaction and connection—giving life to a setting that fosters a sense of community and belonging while offering an innovative and sustainable living experience.

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n. 9 – Unit.