Casa Vernate, a meticulously renovated residence by Enrico Sassi Architetto, perches on a wooded hillside above the Agno-Porto Ceresio branch of Lake Lugano in Vernate, Switzerland. Originally designed in 1972 by the German architects Unterlöhner and Waibel of Ulm, the single-family home occupies a narrow terrace with sweeping views of the water and surrounding hills. The original structure featured a distinctive combination of exposed brick walls and a load-bearing timber system that was insulated and clad in wood. An asymmetrical gable roof defines the interior of the sleeping wing, where sloped ceilings follow the roofline, while the facade facing the forest is completely covered with prefabricated roofing tiles, and the living room opens to the landscape through expansive glazed openings.
Architect Enrico Sassi organized the renovated Casa Vernate across two offset levels within a single-story volume, creating a dynamic split-level plan. The entrance, kitchen, and living room occupy the lower level, while bedrooms and bathrooms are situated upstream on a raised plane. The living area projects outward and rests partially on pillars, leaving the ground visible beneath the volume and creating a floating effect. Interior finishes from the original construction remain legible throughout the design. Floors were originally laid in red Klinker tiles, while walls were built in exposed brick with recessed joints. The living room and bedrooms were covered in coconut fiber carpet, and wooden doors and partitions were coated in glossy lacquer in dark blue, yellow, and ivory white, reflecting the bold color sensibilities of the 1970s.
The renovation by Enrico Sassi Architetto addresses the house as an existing assembly of materials and systems, carefully preserving its character while dramatically improving performance. The outdated oil-fired heating system has been replaced with a modern air-water heat pump, paired with new pipework and radiators distributed across the plan. Original single-glazed windows have been upgraded to insulated double glazing while carefully preserving the original wooden frames to maintain the home's authentic aesthetic. Bathroom windows have been completely replaced, and additional insulation has been introduced beneath the living room floor slab, enhancing thermal performance without altering the visible structure above.
Floor finishes in the living spaces have been updated with Ruckstuhl Flow Sisal carpet, providing a natural, durable surface that complements the original materials. Lacquered wood surfaces have been repainted in their original chromatic range, with tones carefully adjusted according to Le Corbusier's "Les Couleurs" palette. The distinctive Bleu Outremer 59, Le Jaune Vif, and Blanc Ivoire appear across doors and partitions, maintaining the modernist color philosophy of the original design. The kitchen has been entirely replaced with a new stainless steel installation, whose reflective surfaces sit alongside the brick walls and timber ceiling, preserving the material contrast that defined the original house while bringing it into contemporary functionality.
Large windows in the living room continue to frame breathtaking views across Lake Lugano, with palm trees and wooded slopes visible from the interior. The suspended living volume retains its unique relationship to the terrain, with natural light passing beneath the floor edge and along the brick piers, creating an interplay of shadow and illumination throughout the day. Across Casa Vernate, the renovation by Enrico Sassi maintains the spatial sequence originally established in 1972, ensuring that the home's essential character remains intact. The thoughtful updates demonstrate how modern performance standards can be integrated without compromising architectural heritage.
The exposed brick walls and load-bearing timber structure continue to define the original construction, now enhanced with upgraded systems and refined finishes. Brickwork, timber structure, and updated systems coexist harmoniously within the existing envelope, preserving the house's relationship to its site and construction history. This renovation exemplifies a sensitive approach to modernist architecture, where sustainability, comfort, and historical integrity are balanced. Enrico Sassi's work at Casa Vernate proves that thoughtful intervention can breathe new life into aging structures while honoring their original design vision, creating a home that serves contemporary needs without erasing its past.
