Casa Cocco
This house by Carlo Cocco is unique, enigmatic, daring. It cannot be compared with other outstanding examples of Ticino architecture from that era - whether organic or rationalist. Cocco's educational path between Florence, Rome and ETH Zurich was equally unique. He built Casa Cocco for himself and his family.
Upon arrival at the quaint villa road in Lugano-Breganzona, we are metaphysically greeted by the sight of the building. The white exposed concrete volume rises up against the Lago di Muzzano and the mountainous foothills of the Alps at an acute angle on the steep slope. The term ‘sculptural’ is here for once absolutely deserved. The sparse and not particularly large windows on the ‘panoramic side’ are well positioned, which becomes evident once one enters the inside.
Details
Status
For sale
Casa Cocco and Poeticwalls featured in FT Weekend
Discover the story behind Casa Cocco and learn more about Poeticwalls in the House & Homes section of FT-Weekend.
On the mountain side, the house opens on to the rocky terrain, the garden and the patio with its integrated barbecue oven. In contrast to the white tower construction as it is visible from the driveway, the mountain-side façade with its concave geometry offers a calculated momentum: a liberating embrace of terrain and inhabitants.
Peace and warmth. The spatial experience and the quality of the solutions for the entrance hall, main staircase, fireplace, kitchen, living room and patio touch on primal experiences. The room concept references past eras and yet aims for a futuristic point: The ideas of modernism in architecture, art and lifestyle animate the mood in the house.
The different spheres of life emerge from the axis of the main staircase: the rooms for children and guests on the ground floor; cooking, dining, fireplace area, communal living on the second floor; retreats for the parents on the third floor. A spiral staircase, 4 flights per floor and no more than 5 steps per flight, forms the scenographic ascent to the square roof window - to the sky. The wide balustrades provide support. A meditative ascent and descent. The prosaic version: a perfectly integrated lift leads from the sky down to the garage and the wine cellar. The handmade clay tiles in Siena red contrast with the exposed concrete throughout the house.
Maintenance
The building substance and concrete are mostly sound, there is no moisture damage from the roof. The concave western exterior façade, the weather side, needs restoration. The architect Carlo Cocco lived in the house until 2023, its originality is fully guaranteed.
Our opinion
Building culture, whether new or old, is an effective and emotional investment category. This late-modern property, which is uniquely positioned in terms of architectural history and is one of the most important works of the ‘architect's architect’ Carlo Cocco, is unique.
Requirement to be happy in this house: respect its specific characteristics! We are no longer used to living in spaces with such strong character. The spatially and culturally intense nature of Casa Cocco is an opportunity to take a journey into ourselves, to a harmonious coexistence with people who are close to us. The poetic factor is sky-high. The Casa will choose its residents.
The potential for increase in value on one of Lugano's favoured villa hills is intact: In the last 5 years, the city has dynamically increased in attractiveness as a place to live. Exceptional architecture is rare, and prices are rising. The micro-location is privileged, peaceful. The views are framed by mountain and hill ranges. Old trees and the barely used small community park opposite contribute to this. Another house by Carlo Cocco greets from the neighbouring plot. Primary or secondary residence.
The house presents interesting elements in terms of its relationship with the site, based largely on the concave geometry of the south-west elevations and the sculptural plasticity of the volumes.
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Sell to Poeticwalls
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