The GATE - Bellinzona (Switzerland)

The Gate is located in a strategic position at the edge of Bellinzona, with direct access to the new interchange and just a short walk from the historic center and Castelgrande, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At this threshold between infrastructure, historic city, and public space, the project is conceived as a true urban regeneration initiative, capable of transforming an entire district into a vibrant, accessible, and permeable place, giving the community new pedestrian routes, green areas, and open views toward the castle.Developed in collaboration with architect Mino Caggiula, the complex, with a total volume of approximately 27,956 m³ , is composed of six buildings with pitched roofs, reinterpreting the characteristics of Bellinzona’s historic architecture through a contemporary language that is firmly rooted in its context while looking toward the future.The façades are defined by a base articulated with arched porticoes that create a welcoming and sheltered urban space, while the upper levels feature a carefully balanced rhythm of loggias and openings that lighten the volumes and enhance daylight and transparency.The project accommodates diverse yet complementary functions: at ground level, retail spaces and a restaurant activate the public pathways; the intermediate floors host offices and open-plan administrative spaces, connected by internal bridges and designed to offer flexible working environments; the top floor is dedicated to apartments, ensuring comfort, privacy, and privileged views over the historic center.At the rear of the complex, landscaped gardens and thoughtfully furnished resting areas introduce a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere, complemented by a wellness area with a spa and gym reserved for residents.The Gate thus presents itself as a new urban model for Bellinzona: an inclusive, multifunctional place where history and contemporaneity converge to shape a city that is more accessible, livable, and interconnected.