Embedded in the hillside

Built in the village of Morcote in Ticino, The House KO responds to its steep setting and lake views with quiet restraint. Its rough stone facades, made from repurposed vineyard retaining walls, help it blend into the terraced slopes while subtly reflecting the local building traditions. The design avoids visual dominance, allowing the structure to recede into the landscape and reinforcing its connection to place.

Framing and filtering the view

Rather than opening all rooms indiscriminately to the outdoors, the architecture selects specific views and leaves others hidden. This framing strategy offers moments of surprise and calm, making the experience of the surrounding terrain more contemplative. Bedrooms open onto small walled courtyards that admit light while preserving privacy, creating a dialogue between enclosure and exposure.

Grounded in materiality

The reuse of local stone grounds the house materially and historically. The hand-crafted surfaces express the architects preference for honest, unadorned construction. Inside, a palette of simple, minimally processed materials supports the architecture’s meditative quality. The restrained geometry of the diagonal facade elements adds a layer of subtle complexity to the otherwise quiet composition.

Living with the weather

A green roof and thick walls contribute to the home’s environmental responsiveness, while the courtyards and lake-facing windows invite an awareness of shifting conditions outside. The house doesn’t impose itself on the landscape—it coexists with it. Through its simplicity, The House KO offers a space for reflection and intimate connection with the Alpine terrain.

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