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A large, bright and open villa is almost imperceptibly inserted into the mountainous landscape that gradually descends to the lake. Its name, Stealth, encapsulates the concept that inspired the project by ZMB Architettura on the banks of Lake Lugano.
Stealth, the technology that makes an aircraft imperceptible to radar, is created by using a complex system of specific geometries, special paneling and sophisticated paints. Stealth technology is “a system of devices of various natures that allows one to reduce exposure to the observation of others.” In this case, it concerns taking a step back and allowing the lake’s enchanting landscape to remain the highlight.
Spread over three levels and two wings in decomposed and misaligned volumes, the villa never reveals its full dimensions. In reality, despite its terraced levels, it seems like a one-floor villa with large horizontal spaces that fluidly traverse one another.
The heart of the home is the large living area where the wings, coming from different heights along the slope, the entrance patio and the lakeside veranda meet. The automized glass walls that section off the space allow both sides to be opened, removing any border between indoors and outdoors. Organized as a large meeting space around two groups of modular sofas by Molteni&C, it offers a series of different points of view from which to enjoy the landscape or family and friends.
The living room, dining room and kitchen atmosphere is characterized by minimalism with the simple and sharp lines desired by the homeowners. Acting as a background to the designer furniture, there is abstract scenery made up of a balanced contrast of light and dark surfaces. The uneven light grey cement resin floors and exposed cement walls contrast the black-paneled boiserie walls and black semi-gloss wood-effect ceilings. The kitchen is perfectly integrated with the living room, recalling the black-paneled theme with tall handle-less cabinets.
With the exteriors camouflaged and the interiors’ minimal design, The Stealth villa achieves the project’s preset goal: allowing the enchanting landscape to be the star of the show. Supporting the scene, and not only, is the designer furniture that allows one to serenely face the idea that it will eventually get dark outside.

Design project
Lakeside Villa
Location: Morcote, Switzerland
Furniture supplied by:
Molteni&C
>> Brand Channel Molteni&C
Dada
>> Brand Channel Dada
Project:
ZMB Architettura
Arch. Giacomo Zamboni
Lugano, Switzerland
with
Atelier RiBo +
Cadenazzo, Switzerland
Photos:
Courtesy Molteni&C | Dada