“The best challenge of this project was to enhance the existing natural legacy, harmonizing the local typologies with elements linked to far off climes. Through this project, the age-old history of the place dialogues with the modernity and tradition of artisans of stone, metal and wood, making ample use of glass surfaces to provide spectacular views over the lake.”
Situated in a special place on the shores of Orta Lake in Pella, not far from the ferry landing stage and just opposite the island of San Giulio, the CASA FANTINI boutique hotel is an architectural project from the hands of Piero Lissoni and his team at Lissoni Architettura, after an idea of Daniela Fantini, head of the eponymous company.
The hotel identifies itself as the key element of a hospitality experience, bringing together the architecture of Piero Lissoni and the surrounding landscape in a spirit of perfect harmony to experience even the most secluded places of the locality. Water is the common thread that links CASA FANTINI to the history, to the nature, to the area – the placid water of the lake that is forever visible and forever present, and the water of the swimming pool within the peace and tranquillity of the garden.
The hotel consists of two buildings facing the lake, one old the other new, both integrated into the surrounding landscape. The privileged relationship that the structure enjoys with the surrounding nature is already evident at the entrance, accessing the hotel through the private garden that was conceived in collaboration with the Paghera Studio, specialised in landscape design.
The garden paths in grey beola stone have been designed with a regular geometry, tempered by the softness of the Mediterranean vegetation of herbs and flowers. The swimming pool, clad in the same stone to maintain the aesthetic continuity of sober elegance, is located in a more private area of the garden.
The façade of the new building is composed of thin Accoya wood slats, cut to emphasize its materic effect, and placed at regular intervals to confer a dynamic equilibrium to the external wall.
The large window openings of the rooms amplify the interior spaces, carrying ones gaze to the lake and surrounding mountains.
The CASA FANTINI experience continues in the lounge, the heart of the house, with its welcoming atmosphere condusive to pauses of peaceful meditation inspired by the views of the landscape, and to sharing convivial moments with friends.
In the old house, the Blu Lago bar is a connecting space, open to the inhabitants of Pella and immersed in the local identity. A place where history and design are part of the same story.
The hotel is imagined as an intimate oasis, conceived for just 11 rooms in three different forms, two of which are generous suites. Piero Lissoni has chosen the natural materials of wood and stone for the interiors, in perfect equilibrium with the landscape and the spirit of the location.
“Soft and spacious ambients where it is a delight to pause, listen to music, read, chat, meditate, lose oneself in the magnificent view. Everything is carefully but discreetly prepared. Everything is integrated to impart an atmosphere of serene tranquillity. Here you must feel ‘at home”.
Piero Lissoni
About Piero Lissoni: With offices in Milan and New York, the Lissoni Studio develops projects at an international level in the fields of architecture, product design, graphic design and corporate identity, in addition to conducting the art direction for an array of key clients.
Led by Piero Lissoni, the Studio combines a range of expertise and skills with a tailored approach that sets it apart in a variety of fields, establishing a stylistic code that is inimitable and a visual identity that is instantly recognizable.
The work of the Studio is inspired by a sense of rigour and characterized by an attention to detail and harmony, with particular regard to proportion and function.
Piero Lissoni is the art director for Alpi, Boffi, De Padova, Living Divani, Lema, Lualdi, Porro and Sanlorenzo for whom he also designs an extensive range of products. Recognized as one of the masters of contemporary design, he works with many international brands including Alessi, Antrax, B&B, Bonacina1889, Cappellini, Cassina, Cotto, Fantini, Flos, Glas Italia, Golran, Illy, Janus et Cie, Kartell, Kerakoll, Knoll, Nerosicilia, Olivari, Salvatori, Tecno, Viccarbe.
Recently completed architectural projects include Oceana Bal Harbour, a 240-unit condominium in Miami (2017) the production headquarters of Kerakoll Design Lab (2014) and the renovation of the historic Teatro Nazionale in Milan (2009).
Current projects include the Autograph Hotel and Residences in Budapest, SLS Lux Hotels & Residences in Washington D.C., the Miami Beach Ritz-Carlton Residences, apartments at 45 Park Place in New York and private villas in Amsterdam, New York and Mumbai.
Lissoni’s interest in the art world has brought him to design numerous exhibitions: the exposition room at the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, inaugurated with “The triptych of Antonello da Messina” (2015), the retrospective of the photographer Giovanni Gastel curated by Germano Celant, at Palazzo della Ragione (2016), the anthology of the Renaissance painter “Bernardino Luini e i suoi Figli” at Palazzo Reale (2014), and the exhibition “Tiziano/Gerhard Richter – Heaven on earth” at the Fondazione Palazzo Te in Mantua, for which the Studio designed the fit-out, visual identity and catalogue (2018-2019).
Piero Lissoni has received a series of international awards, including the Good Design Award, the Red Dot Award and the Compasso d’Oro ADI. He is a Board Member of the MAXXI National Museum in Rome and is visiting professor and member of the Advisory Board at the Politecnico di Milano. He also serves as an Honorary Associate of the Altagamma International Council.
CASA FANTINI
Author: Piero Lissoni
Investor: Pella, Italy
Photos: Giovanni Gastel
Year of completion: 2017
Location: Pella, Italy
Total area: 1.218 m2