Some photos of our adventures thus far

Just a few pictures from our adventures in Switzerland and Italy! We have seen and walked around in several towns in the last few days, enjoying architecture, public art, piazzas, and more.

A model from the Architecture program at the University in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Evening view from Lake Lugano below, in Morcote, Switzerland.

View of the Castel Grande in Bellinzona, Switzerland.

Off one of the many piazzas in Como, Italy.

A "primi", or appetizer, from our dinner at the Villa in Vico Morcote. Honeydew melon and prosciutto.

The main course, cannelloni with ricotta and spinach. Delicious!


Hope you enjoy! More to come.

Lasting forever

Terragnis last building built 1943 located one block from his first building.

Built in 1927 and still looks new.  It was Terragnis first building.

Stairs in Como rowing club building, Como, Italy.

A Terragni Day in Como

One of Garrett's colleagues, Michael, spent time with us today and gave us a mini tour of the Italian town of Como.  Michael is an architect and an American who has lived in Italy since the 1970s or so.  Most of the tour consisted of Guiseppe Terragni's work, but Michael also include historical information about Como and Italy, a brief introduction to the architect Antonio Sant'Elia and also stressed the importance of materials, especially with architecture.

  

Above: Michael showing us around one of the oldest churches in Como.  This basilica was built in 1193 and most of its original structure is still intact.

Above:  Michael showing us one of the plans of the Asilo D'Infanzia Sant'Elia building by Guiseppe Terragni.  After introducing the building, Michael was able to give us a tour of the interior of the building (below).

Como and the works of Guiseppe Terragni

Terragni's first work - an apartment building by the lake

Facade detail of Terragni's last work- just down the road from the first

Floor detail

Casa del Fascio with Duomo of Como in background

Main facade of Casa del Fascio

Asilo Sant'Elia - interior of main room

Today we were taken on a tour of Como, focusing on the works of Rationalist architect Guiseppe Terragni. We began with both his first and last works, two apartment blocks near the shores of Lake Como. Both were inventive especially in means of circulation and material detailing. Terragni had a keen understanding of the beauty and strengths of each material, and articulated each in elegant ways. We next moved on the the Casa del Fascio, his most famous work. Unfortunately, we weren't able to access the interior spaces, but the exterior revealed enough about the rigor and skill with which Terragni articulated geometry and form. The punched windows frame views around the city, and the building has an interesting and direct juxtaposition to the Duomo. The contrast is really spectacular. The final work was Asilo Sant'Elia, a kindergarten school on the outer edge of Como. The spaces were fantastically designed, and the architect created an intimate connection with the exterior spaces. Subltle offsets in the structural grid give the glass walls a feeling of airiness, giving an experience immediately connected to the pleasant schoolyard. Altogether, it's a shame Terragni died so young. He was truly a talented craftsman; of space, material, and form.

Belinzona's Medieval Castles

Hiked around the city center of Belinzona today, which is dominated by a series of three castles that served as a protective gateway to the lakes of Switzerland. The castles have been updated with subtle interventions by modern architects, which are designed well enough to only add to the whole composition, rather than take away.

Vico Morcote our Home for 21 Days

Our Home for 21 Days, Vico Morcote

Vico Morcote is located near Lake Lugano and nestled roughly half a mile uphill from the larger village of Morcote. The village over looks the lake, providing breathtaking views in every direction. The houses are built on steep hill sides with narrow streets meandering through the center of the town. You will hardly see any cars in Vico Morcote, walking is a must to get around the town as there is no vehicular trafic through most of the town, but what you can see is beautifully crafted cobble stone streets, small piazzas, fountains and every so ofter you can hear and see small streams running down the hill side from natural springs up the mountain. 

Today's exploration of Lugano.

Day Trip to Lugano

Visited Lugano today and explored the city center, along with the sprawling public parks that run along the lake shore. We stumbled upon this church, which is over 500 years old and has a unique layout not typical to these buildings. It was interesting to see the juxtaposition of a high-end, booming resort-style community next to an ancient structure so rooted in history.

View from the Villa