A Modern-Day Fortress House With A Timeless Design

This contemporary residence is located in Bellinzona, Switzerland and it’s a modern-day fortress. With 260 square meters of living space, it’s big enough to be perfect as a family home. The construction and interior design were completed in 2017. It was a project conducted by Davide Macullo Architects. The house was built for a client that wanted to focus a lot on comfort but also on privacy. The architects also focused on creating a design that’s timeless and unusual enough to be interesting even years into the future.

The house is more open towards the valley in order to better capture and frame the view
The house is more open towards the valley in order to better capture and frame the view
Some areas of the house seem completely closed off from the neighboring sites
Some areas of the house seem completely closed off from the neighboring sites
The residence is surrounded by traditional houses with designs radically different from its own
The residence is surrounded by traditional houses with designs radically different from its own

You can immediately tell that this is a house like no other. Compared to the other houses in the area, it’s very modern and very simplified. Of course, even compared to other modern and contemporary houses, it still stands out thanks to its unusual architecture. Privacy and comfort were the most important things in this project and the architects had an interesting way of approaching the subject.

The house was designed to be timeless so its owners can enjoy it for many years to come
The house was designed to be timeless so its owners can enjoy it for many years to come
Comfort and privacy were two important elements which the architects focused on throughout the project
Comfort and privacy were two important elements which the architects focused on throughout the project
What's interesting is that the house is not particularly compact but neither very open to its surroundings
What’s interesting is that the house is not particularly compact but neither very open to its surroundings

With large windows and even larger walls to protect the interiors from unwanted neighboring looks, the house seems pretty closed off but is surprisingly open, bright and airy. In a way, it’s like a fortress but without a big focus on protection against invaders. It’s a concrete box with an unexpected structure and form. The openings are nicely balanced, offering views in all directions.

The large concrete walls that frame the house ensure privacy for the interior spaces
The large concrete walls that frame the house ensure privacy for the interior spaces
Although they can't really be seen from outside, the house has a series of large outdoor areas
Although they can’t really be seen from outside, the house has a series of large outdoor areas
This spacious lounge terrace is protected by the cantilevered roof and offers sweeping views of the landscape
This spacious lounge terrace is protected by the cantilevered roof and offers sweeping views of the landscape

The big concrete walls and the cantilevering roof sections are not just for privacy. They shelter a series of beautiful outdoor spaces like this terrace which has unobstructed views in two directions and a roof over it for protection and shade. It’s a wonderful gathering space and a great entertainment area for family and friends.

The interior design is simple and based on neutral colors and basic materials and finishes
The interior design is simple and based on neutral colors and basic materials and finishes
There are more windows that first anticipated. Some overlook the terrace
There are more windows that first anticipated. Some overlook the terrace

The interior is simple, structured on multiple levels linked by staircases and there are more openings and windows that the exterior shell lets us see. As a result, the spaces are bright and filled with natural light while also being private and comfortable, just like the client requested.

There's easy access to the open terraces from the public areas of the house
There’s easy access to the open terraces from the public areas of the house