With its rounded edges, this polygonal glass shaped pavilion house creates an interesting and fluid link between indoors and out. This link amplified the interior space, making it seem much larger than it actually is. The ring-like rounded space further grants constant ventilation and natural light to living areas while white cladding, together with white gravel as a ground surfacing and pale Douglas fir flooring reflect sunlight. 

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Lying on the slope of a hill, on the shores of Lake Lugano , the villa consists of two volumes organized on different levels due to the particular topography of the site.

A polygonal shaped glass pavilion with rounded edges stands above a linear underground block. The living and dining room, the kitchen and storage spaces are located in the pavilion, while bedrooms, bathrooms and garage are in the lower level. Each level relates itself with independent outdoor spaces, which are closely related with the interiors.

The glass pavilion overlooks two very defined areas: the first, toward the mountain, is a very private zone resulted in the area between the property line and the building setback line according to the local building code. The second is a garden overlooking the lake. In the same way, the bedrooms face a garden enclosed by the building and the perimeter wall.

The ring, obtained between the perimeter wall above and the pavilion, amplifies the interior space, with seems much larger than what it actually is. The ring-like space, that embraces the building on the north side, grants constant ventilation and natural light to the living areas, also due to the white cladding of the perimeter wall and white gravel which reflect the sunlight coming from the south. A night-time artificial light scene is the ideal reverse field for the lake panorama.

All the additional functions of the pavilion are contained in a central lacquered wood block, which acts as a sort of a thick penetrable wall that separates the kitchen from the living room without dividing the space with doors, and in which are located the powder room, the kitchen, the stairs, bookcases, all mechanical systems and the technological and audio-video equipment.

Great attention is given to the environmental aspects, as the use of geothermal energy, roof gardens, the rain-water collection system, the choice of highly efficient low-emittance glass insulated with argon gas, to optimize the thermal efficiency of the shell and the use of natural sun shading as the placement of deciduous trees in the south-west area of the building.

Indoor/Outdoor connections are enhanced with a curved polygonal glass facade and clever use of flooring materials in this Swiss house. Along with the white gravel that lines the edge of the curving home, the interior floor is finished with long and wide solid planks from Dinesen, which are made of North American Douglas Fir. Largely free of knots, these custom sized planks can be finished with white lye and white soap or white oil to give a luminous, light finish. 

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The long and wide solid planks have become Dinesen’s trademark. Dinesen Douglas is produced up to 15 metres long, 45 centimetres wide and 35 millimetres thick and creates an exceptional effect. The planks both unify and open a room and are a natural choice whether it is a 400 year old Renaissance castle or a modern home.

From Douglas to Dinesen Douglas is harder than other firs and has far fewer knots. The trees can grow up to 60 metres high and have a diameter of almost 1 metre. Originally Douglas comes from the west coast of North America, where it grows from California, in the south, to British Columbia, in the north. Douglas was introduced in Europe in 1827 and it is from the European forests that Dinesen sources its Douglas for the exclusive planks.

The trees are between 80 and 120 years old. They come from forests that through generations have been treated with the highest respect for nature, and every tree is selected according to requirements of colour, tree rings, knots and harmony. The production of the solid planks then undergo a meticulously controlled process from the tree is cut up and kiln dried, to being edged, planed and sanded.

At Dinesen each plank and each knot undergo a thorough quality control. Knots are the part of the branch which extends into the trunk. The look and the colour of the knot depend on whether the branch was still alive when the tree was cut down. Dinesen’s processing of the knots has been developed and refined over the years. If necessary, the knots are repaired or replaced, and new knots are carefully attached with a special knot glue. In this way, both the quality of the plank and a respectful usage of the cut down tree are ensured.

The characteristic light and elegant expression of the planks can be achieved by finishing the planks with lye and white soap or white oil. If a darker look is desired the planks should be treated with natural soap or natural oil.

Douglas is applied when desiring to create a natural elegance which no other wood species can match – and the possibilities of adding a personal touch on the decor are endless with the exclusive planks from Dinesen.