Durisch + Nolli Architetti Sagl

Loft B in Switzerland

Loft B in Switzerland
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti

LOFT B

Durisch + Nolli Architetti

ARCHITECTS
Durisch + Nolli Architetti

MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Tecnoprogetti SA, Camorino

PROJECT MANAGER
Pia Durisch, Aldo Nolli, Niccolò Nessi

CIVIL ENGINEER
Lurati Muttoni Partner SA

PHOTOGRAPHS
Tonatiuh Ambrosetti, Gian Paolo Minelli

YEAR
2009

LOCATION
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland

CATEGORY
House

Text description provided by architect.

Loft B is a replacement building for a caretaker’s apartment, constructed in 1988 above a furniture warehouse in the industrial zone of Riva San Vitale. The industrial building, dating back to 1930, is characterised by a clear structure with a regular column grid and bricked vaults.

Loft B in Switzerland
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Loft B in Switzerland
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti

The loft is conceived as a superstructure that utilises the existing vertical route of access to the industrial building. In terms of material, the new building assumes the characteristics typical of the industrial zone.

Analogue to the skylights, glazing and greenhouses in the surrounding area, the vertical building shell comprises completely of glass.

Loft B in Switzerland
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Loft B in Switzerland
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti

The exterior facades consist completely of generously sized modules made up of two profiled glass bowls that encase the innovative new glass and an optimum diffusion of light in the building interior.

The translucent façade is punctuated by precisely-aligned, large sliding windows, which provide ambience.

The interiors given an identity through defining living modules, kitchen/stairs/wc, sleeping area/bathroom and library/fireplace are completely spatial modules.

Loft B in Switzerland
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Loft B in Switzerland
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Loft B in Switzerland
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti

In this way, the façade surrounds all four sides of the loft without interruption and thus creates a unique, pleasant and diffuse light in the interior that is reminiscent of traditional Japanese residential building.


Loft B in Switzerland
Cross Section 
Loft B in Switzerland
Cross section


Loft B in Switzerland
Ground Floor Plan
Loft B in Switzerland
First Floor Plan


Loft B in Switzerland
Site Plan

Durisch + Nolli Architetti Sagl
T +41 91 9601830 F +41 91 9674344
Durisch + Nolli Architetti Sagl
Via S. Gottardo 77, 6900 Massagno, Switzerland