Villa Costanza Park

The recovery and expansion of the park of the nineteenth-century Villa Costanza represents an opportunity for social redemption and environmental redevelopment for the Viganello district in Lugano. This historic garden has in fact been restored respecting the traces of the past and the imposing existing trees, introducing a contemporary and sustainable language that runs through the entire park.

The turf areas are reduced to a minimum, only where you want to stimulate play and socialization during events. Most of the park is densely planted with low maintenance trees, shrubs and cover plants, in order to reduce the energy impact of future management and eliminate irrigation. The presence of an important area treated with flower meadows also favors the increase of biodiversity in an urban context.

Natural wood and pigmented artisan brick are used as elements that characterize the new architectural artifacts that dot the park. All the paths are in concrete and the rainwater drainage systems are built above ground with raingardens, facilitating the natural infiltration and collection of rainwater.

In the upper part of the park we find a new brick fountain whose internal lining was made with handmade ceramic tiles. Just below, next to the playground, there is an open-air theater built with large brick steps that overlook a stage for concerts and public events.

In the lower part of the park, on the other hand, there are two large areas dedicated to urban neighborhood gardens, with flower beds and lockers for storing users' tools. Adjacent to these areas are numerous fountains and sprays for cooling and counteracting the urban heat island effect. In this area there is also space for a large public pergola in wood and bricks, with a table and benches made with reclaimed logs, under which to meet in convivial moments.