Suspended architecture in dialogue with nature

On the lower slopes of Mount Mottarone, overlooking the waters of Lake Maggiore, a private residence dating back to the 1960s has acquired a new identity. Originally designed by Turin-based engineer Bertone, the building features a central reinforced concrete core supporting the living accommodation approximately four metres above ground level. Architect Massimo Zoppi has reinterpreted the original structure to meet the clients’ functional requirements while showing profound respect for the natural surroundings. The project involved renovating the existing building and creating a new, independent volume connected to it by a suspended walkway: a contemporary interpretation of the treehouse concept. The new structure, built with a galvanised steel lattice framework, is clad in anthracite-grey sheet metal, a colour also used for the roof of the original building to ensure visual continuity. The property is completed by an infinity pool, together with a separate structure housing a pool house and technical facilities. “We sought to meet the clients’ need for additional space while developing a design that would respect both the history of the existing building and the natural character of the site,” explains architect Zoppi. “The clients themselves, with their refined taste and extensive cultural knowledge, have always played a central role in the design decisions.” Mirage surfaces play a key role in establishing continuity between indoors and outdoors. The Glocal concrete-effect porcelain stoneware collection, in the GC07 shade, was selected for the interior flooring and swimming pool area. The use of large-format tiles minimises the number of joints, creating a seamless surface extending from the living room to the terrace. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, Glocal meets the demands of the mountain climate, offering resistance to frost and temperature fluctuations, while its slip-resistant finish ensures maximum safety around the pool. In the sleeping quarters, the strong character of concrete gives way to the more intimate decorative appeal of Mirage’s Papier collection. The Encanto variant brings the greenery of the surrounding vegetation indoors through an elegant botanical pattern, while Papier Nuages introduces a delicate watercolour-effect texture, adding depth to the spaces dedicated to relaxation. “Nothing was left to chance,” concludes Massimo Zoppi. “The materials used for the indoor and outdoor flooring, the selected formats and their installation all play an important role in establishing a balanced relationship between architecture and nature, between interior and exterior spaces, and between mountain and lake.”