Holiday home Casa Navegna

In Minusio, the small, cosy neigh­bouring village of Locarno, just a few metres from the lakeshore, an archetype of modernism is hidden among the lush Medi­ter­ranean vege­tation. In 1929, the Swiss architect Ernst Bech­stein was com­mis­sioned to design an extra­or­dinary holiday home with a spa­cious, romantic garden for his friend Walter Bucher — a wool manu­fac­turer and intellectual from Monte Verità — which was intended to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of Lake Mag­giore and provide space solely for the plea­sures of life.

Casa Navegna com­bines various modernist cha­rac­te­ristics — from the func­tional form and flat roof to the sculp­tural plaster of the façade and the use of tra­di­tional mate­rials, such as the signi­ficant columns made of regional granite. Huge windows open out onto the garden and the lake, while the rear of the house with its small windows gua­rantees maximum privacy. The pergola, which Bech­stein bor­rowed from Ticino archi­tecture, is a par­ti­cu­larly striking element.

In 2005, the house was brought back to its ori­ginal state tog­ether with the local archi­tecture firm baserga moz­zetti, freed from the altera­tions of the 1970s and taken into the present with a modern twist — an orga­ni­cally shaped, alu­minium-covered bedroom on the roof, remi­niscent of a landed UFO, and yet far from being alien, it fits har­mo­niously into the style.

To this day, the pro­perty reflects its former flair and com­bines archi­tecture, art and joie de vivre. The journey through time also con­tinues inside: num­erous ori­ginal design classics meet a variety of art and an extensive coll­ection of books. The holiday home, which is now run by the fourth gene­ration, has four bed­rooms and two bath­rooms, a modern kitchen, a living room with a fire­place, an office and a library, as well as an artist’s studio in the garden. Outside, a blos­soming garden full of hidden niches, ori­ginal stone tables and a small pool opens up. There are ter­races and seating areas ever­y­where to spend relaxing hours in nature — all the way up to the roof terrace with impressive views of the lake and the Ticino moun­tains.

What to do

Swimming in the lake or having fun in the small pool, stand-up paddling (two boards are available in the house), hiking in the nearby mountains, walking and cycling paths along the lake (bike hire nearby), tennis courts and golf courses, Wellness at Termali Salini & Spa, day trip by boat to Isola Madre, various festivals and events in Locarno and Ascona, visits to museums and galleries, skiing in winter in the Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis, Splügen or Bosco Gurin ski areas.

Why we like this house

An impressive immersion in an inspiring era.

This house is great for

Families, friends and couples of friends, architecture, design, art and nature lovers, well-behaved dogs are also welcome

Sustainability

Public transport: Minusio train station (with direct connections to Lugano and Milan) is a 5-minute walk away, two bus stations (with direct connections to Locarno and Bellinzona) are a 3-minute walk away, e-charging stations in the immediate vicinity

Details

Availability calendar

The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with white background the accommodation is still available. On days with dark gray background the accommodation is not available.

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