In the heart of Swiss Ticino's Onsernone Valley, one of Europe's most pristine and untouched regions, stands Casa Raslei—a remarkable architectural transformation that exemplifies the perfect marriage between human creativity and natural beauty. Swiss couple Alejandra Lauper and Dino Piccolo have converted a deteriorating 17th-century alpine farmhouse into an experiential space that opens directly onto the surrounding wilderness, creating a structure that is both rustic and brutalist in its design approach.
The Onsernone Valley, located in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, remains one of Europe's wildest territories. This narrow, steep-sided valley offers breathtaking views of rocky mountain landscapes, dense forests, and stone-built villages that seem frozen in time. The atmosphere here is almost meditative, especially during winter months or after rainfall, when mist clings to the rocky slopes, creating a dramatic and mystical ambiance that has long attracted writers and artists seeking inspiration.
This very valley once served as home to Max Frisch (1911-1991), one of the most important German-language authors of the post-war era and a writer known for exploring themes of uncertain identity. Frisch, who dedicated a short story titled "Man in the Holocene" to this valley, found in the isolated Ticino region a metaphor for aging, fading memory, and existential isolation. For the acclaimed author, this remote location represented a peaceful haven away from the hustle and bustle of major cities, providing an ideal environment for reflection and creative work.
"Ever since I read Max Frisch as a teenager, I fell in love with the Onsernone Valley," admits Alejandra Lauper, who along with her husband Dino Piccolo—also her partner in Varese Corridor, a branding, communication, and design agency based in Zurich—completely renovated and transformed a property in the region. "We first came here on vacation. Enchanted by the place, we asked various people if they knew of any property for sale; that's how we found Casa Raslei in Mosogno."
The Casa Raslei, situated in the middle of verdant summer meadows that transform into snow-covered expanses during winter, is a former alpine farm building. Originally, a family of farmers had used this location since the 17th century, bringing their sheep and goats here to graze during the warmer months. However, the structure had been abandoned for seven years and was falling into ruin, though it remained filled with all the belongings, furniture, and tools accumulated by several generations of peasants.
"The house was overgrown with vegetation, abandoned and littered with scattered objects; it took a lot of imagination and considerable courage to give it new life," the couple explains. The renovation process required no fewer than ten helicopter flights to evacuate nine tons of debris from the remote location. "The good advice of our friend architect, Daniel Buchner, allowed us to successfully carry out this project. It was a long process that lasted five years. We went to the site several times, studied the history of the valley, exposed ourselves to the elements, and lived with nature. These adventures allowed us to understand that the house should retain its original character and that life here should be simple, elementary, in harmony with the landscape."
The architectural firm chosen for this ambitious project, Buchner Bründler, based in Basel, is renowned for having designed the Swiss Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Their constructions are characterized by extending existing structures rather than replacing them entirely. The practice is distinguished by a permanent dialogue between the location that hosts their buildings and the structures themselves. The firm's two founders, Daniel Buchner and Andreas Bründler, take pleasure in confronting the intimacy of interiors with exterior environments, often through strategic openings in facades, thus playing with the notion of inside and outside spaces.
At Mosogno, the house deliberately remains open to the elements, with air flowing freely under the corrugated metal roof. "The open attic spaces correspond to the typology of rural houses in Ticino," explains Lauper. "It's magnificent to sit in the hall during summer when the heat is intense in the interior courtyard and enjoy the coolness of the stone building. It's also a powerful experience when rain pounds on the corrugated metal—it always rains violently in the valley. We're far from the stress of daily life; here the natural forces are striking."
The building's renovation remained deliberately minimal, focusing on essential improvements: a new floor, concrete interventions, and a metal roof. The main walls were preserved, and the original spaces remain visible, though the upper floor of the main building was removed to create a spectacular living space notable for its impressive height. "The historic stone building structures were essential; they represent strong architectural traces of the past," the owners note.
"It's a simple place with little comfort but a great quality of life, in the heart of vegetation, in a spectacular valley," describe Lauper and Piccolo. The section open to the wind is adapted for outdoor living during pleasant weather, while other enclosed spaces, equipped with wood stoves, are designed for winter's harsh conditions. "We didn't seek an urban lifestyle. We have a small kitchen with mobile cooking plates for both outdoor and indoor use. We love to cook and enjoy friends who come visit us for meals. We cultivate a large garden of 3,500 square meters with herbs, vines, and several fruit trees."
The couple typically occupies the space from March to October, though they fondly remember spending a December there when temperatures reached 20°C, which proved surprisingly pleasant. "This is definitely not a classic vacation home. It's a simple place with little comfort but great quality of life, in the heart of vegetation, in a spectacular valley. There's a shower in the interior courtyard, but it's heated. What more could you ask for?"
Several design classics punctuate the space, including a Lido chaise lounge by Battista & Guido Giudici, a lamp designed by Charlotte Perriand, and a stool by Alvar Aalto. These objects, preferably chosen in electric blue, underscore the project's radical approach. "The basic colors are simple and vivid, like nature, like the place," the couple explains, emphasizing how their design choices reflect the natural environment's intensity and authenticity while maintaining the essential simplicity that defines their relationship with this extraordinary landscape.
