This apartment is nestled in a 1970s condominium complex situated on the slopes of the Collina in the municipality of Bissone, in the Canton of Ticino of Switzerland. To reach the entrance of the property, one proceeds downhill, as the condominium access is located on the rooftop of the building. This "inverted" layout is reflected inside the apartment: an 80-square-meter duplex with an entrance and living area superimposed over the sleeping area.
Upon entering, visitors are surprised by a single, large space flooded with natural light from the bow window at the end of the apartment, an elongated space that stretches towards Lake Ceresio. The interior design color palette is inspired by this view: the lake, the sunsets, and the nature are echoed in the powder-colored walls, cerulean furnishings, and wooden flooring.
To achieve this result, Paolo Giacomazzi opted to eliminate all existing partition walls in favor of a custom furniture system, creating a single, functional, and dynamic space tailored to the needs of a young manager who enjoys hosting guests in the spacious living room, gathered around the fireplace.
The living area features a custom, powder-colored peninsula kitchen that seamlessly integrates with the wall, "stitching" the two levels together. The suspended cabinets are made of the same white oak as the parquet flooring. The ceramic wall is clad in Vogue Graph bordeaux tiles, whose hue is echoed in the flames of the quartz used for the countertop, which extends to form a bar counter with "Spaghetti" stools by Giandomenico Belotti for Alias.
Across from the kitchen, a small guest bathroom is designed as a storage unit to maximize storage space. A blue "box" stands out from the walls, allowing a sliver of light to filter in on one side, while a Dooor textile door veils and reveals the Bonola sink, designed by Jasper Morrison for Flaminia, paired with the "Allen" faucet by Alpi, signed by Odo Fioravanti.
The dining area flows smoothly between the kitchen, guest bathroom, and sofa, illuminated by the Archetype suspension lamp by Luceplan, designed by Goodmorning Technology. The "Esse" chairs by Pianca are designed by Philippe Tabet. This open and "liquid" layout contributes to the sense of welcome and sharing in the home, as the owner and guests move fluidly from the kitchen to the dining area and finally to the sofa in front of the fireplace.
The sideboard, custom-designed to hug the void of the staircase, is the centerpiece of the living room. As the sun sets, the wall is enriched by shadows projected by the plants hosted in the "albero" system by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta. The light is modulated by a large, pink, cane-glass slab that serves as a railing.
At the opposite end of the room, a custom-designed boiserie wraps around the fireplace and covers a large storage shelving unit. It then bends and opens up, transforming into a small bookcase that serves the reading area in the bay window, featuring the Palace chair by Memphis Milano, designed by George J. Sowden. On the other side, it becomes a backdrop of micro-perforated sheet metal, hosting a work by Lucio Del Pezzo.
The staircase leads down to the sleeping area, which, like the wall it's installed in, is finished with powder-colored enamel. The handrail conceals a LED strip that washes the wall and gently illuminates the treads.
The space below is a volume of light radiating from the french door that leads to a small garden. The sleeping area is a space for oneself: a study area near the glazed openings, the blue "Plan" bedside table by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini, the oak double bed, and the luminous "Zia" coffee table by Sebastian Bergne for Luceplan. A floor-to-ceiling sliding mirror conceals the bathroom.
photos © by Gianluca Di Ioia
Text by Paolo Giacomazzi
