Casa Rieder: a patrician house reinterpreted

In 1550, the patrician Restelli family moved into their new residence in Morcote. 
An extension was added in the 18th century. The house was occupied by the Restelli heirs until the end of the 19th century. Alberto Rieder took it over in the 1940s and converted it into his home with a popular museum of icons. From then on, it was known as Casa Rieder. In 2017, the current owners lavishly transformed it into their main residence. The townscape of Morcote is federally protected. The immediate surroundings remain as they are: almost too beautiful to be true.

The result is spaces and a place that breathes inner peace and natural grandeur. In dialogue with the village and nature. The ideal of a comfortable nest with a cosmopolitan touch and enough wall space for the client's art collection has been surpassed.

There is a choreography, which takes us on a tour through all the dining, cooking, living, recreation and garden areas and connects all three floors. It is precisely conceived in cinematic terms and comfortable to live in. The resulting living experience is spacious. The architect knows how to organise life spatially and functionally. Casa Rieder offers a good life, certo.

Atmospheric density, like in a film by director Luca Guadagnino! The requirements of the couple, who have a second home in Milan, set the standard. The structure and ambience of the clearly defined spatial spheres, which flow into one another, were planned by the architect and materialised to a high standard. Similar to the romantic summer drama ‘Call Me by Your Name’ by Guadagnino, Casa Rieder creates space for intimacy and mystery. For exchange and harmony. For magnetic attraction. Incidentally, the 2017 film is also set in an old villa, albeit in northern Italy.

On the main floor, the atmosphere is intimate, even festive. Targeted lighting allows art and furniture objects to stand out. Warm oak parquet flooring in the dining room, hallway, on the ground floor and in the four bedrooms on the upper floor. Plenty of space for the four grown-up children when they come to visit. Luciano Giorgi chose dark cast floors for the soggiorno. Dark stone slabs in the kitchen, terrace and patio. Four fireplaces can be found in the cosiest places - two on the living floor and two on the private floor. Various shades of grey harmonise with the broad green palette: colours ranging from lichen and moss to vibrant leaf green. Dark brown walls, earth and mud colours contribute to the characteristic intimacy of the house.

The ancient Greeks saw ‘Arcadia’ as a lost Garden of Eden that grounded people. Conceived as an invitation to turn back to something simple - nature. On the level of the 2nd floor, the hidden, poetic garden inspires contemplation and togetherness. An old garden pavilion - a beautiful wooden structure - completes the harmonious setting. Time stops here, sometimes.

Finally, you can reach your own parking space in the new car park in 3 minutes.