Inaugurating the civic park of Casa Chiattone as a New Green Heart for Massagno
On June 9th, the Municipality of Massagno officially inaugurated the renewed Casa Chiattone and its surrounding public park, marking an important milestone in the ongoing transformation of the town’s central district.
Originally designed in 1922 by architect Mario Chiattone, the historic villa in Massagno (Ticino) has been carefully restored and adapted to host new administrative functions. The intervention combines heritage preservation with contemporary standards of accessibility, energy efficiency and environmental performance, creating a renewed civic landmark for the community.
Designed by LAND Suisse, the new public landscape transforms the former garden into an inclusive and multifunctional green space where architecture, Nature and everyday life come together. Conceived as an open living room for the neighborhood, the project introduces a contemporary vision of public space that encourages social interaction, wellbeing and a stronger connection with Nature.
The project is part of the broader Visione Massagno 2040 masterplan and represents the first step in a long-term strategy to create a network of connected, accessible and climate-resilient public spaces across the municipality. The landscape design strengthens the role of green infrastructure as a driver of urban quality, ecological performance and community life.
Climate adaptation is embedded throughout the project. Of the approximately 1,150 m² of outdoor space, around 75% has been transformed into new green areas, creating an ecological infrastructure that delivers environmental and social benefits. More than 1,200 trees, shrubs and perennial plants belonging to 16 different species have been introduced, including a significant proportion of native species selected to support local biodiversity and reinforce the identity of the place.
Permeable surfaces inspired by the “sponge city” principle improve rainwater infiltration and contribute to more sustainable water management, while climate-resilient planting helps reduce maintenance requirements and responds to future environmental conditions. New shaded areas, pedestrian paths and intimate gathering spaces offer opportunities for relaxation, conversation and everyday use throughout the year.
More than a restoration project, Casa Chiattone demonstrates how landscape can bridge heritage and innovation, transforming historic places into living infrastructures that support biodiversity, climate resilience and social wellbeing.
A renewed public space where the memory of the past becomes a resource for a more livable and sustainable future.
