Who is responsible for maintaining the quality of the place?

After the death of the last owner of Trevano Castle and Park, the Canton of Ticino bought the stately manor north of Lugano for just 200,000 Swiss francs. It was 1934 and, despite the economic crisis, the government wanted to restore the estate to its former glory by hosting music festivals. But times were hard and the castle fell into disrepair. In 1961, the government ordered the castle to be demolished to make way for school buildings in the park. Ever since SUPSI (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland) vacated its school buildings at the end of 2020, they have been used by the cantonal government and other schools as temporary accommodation.

Does the place serve its purpose?

Parco Trevano is home to three school complexes. The buildings that were used by SUPSI until December 2020 are located in the southern part, a technical vocational centre (Centro professionale tecnico) and its sports infrastructure occupy the central part, and the secondary school from Canobbio shares the northern part with a vocational school for health and social professions. The school buildings are nestled in the historic park with its beautiful mature stock of trees.

Does the place promote biodiversity?

The grounds of the former park have been preserved, although they have been greatly altered by the school buildings and parking areas. To the south and east of the former castle, the old trees still form a continuous woodland in the centre of the agglomeration. The fact that the park is situated on a hill and that the woodland spreads out on the slopes has certainly contributed to its preservation. Small animals, insects and birds find shelter here.

Will the place remain attractive in the long term for living, working, leisure and/or tourism?

The former SUPSI buildings from the 1960s are in need of renovation. Over the next few years, several million Swiss francs will be spent to refurbish them so that they can once again be used as school buildings. A commissioned study is currently under way to determine the future trajectory. Bordering the site to the south is the new Cornaredo district, which will undergo major changes over the next few years.

Does the place foster community?

As the park is home to a number of schools, it is a very social place. It is teeming with teenagers, young adults and teaching staff, even though the former SUPSI campus is no longer fully operational. Various places to eat and drink, outdoor areas with tables and benches, and table tennis tables at the edge of the woods offer a variety of places to socialise.

Are the built heritage and regional specificities preserved and harnessed?

When the government demolished the castle in 1961, there was little opposition. In the eyes of many, it seemed dilapidated and expensive to maintain. The five concrete buildings, erected on the same site in 1963 by architects Sergio Pagnamenta and Attilio Marazzi, form a harmonious ensemble among the mature trees. But 60 years later, they are in need of extensive refurbishment. In the eyes of many, they also seem dilapidated and expensive to maintain. As the Corriere del Ticino wrote in an article on the state of affairs in Trevano regarding the castle’s demolition, it was “a decision that today looks like a big mistake”.

Is the place notable for its distinctiveness?

The former SUPSI school campus on the edge of the park is a fine example of the synergy between architecture and landscape. The architects arranged the five cube-like concrete buildings of different sizes around a central open space, which is unfortunately now used as a car park. Even though the buildings appear neglected today, the ensemble is still of high design quality. It is hoped that the planned refurbishment will once again bring out the potential of the outdoor space and the buildings.

Does the place have an atmospheric impact on the beholder?

In its current state, marked by interim use and partial vacancy, the former SUPSI school campus, together with the old trees, resembles the film set of a forgotten place. It would be desirable for this part of the park to be full of students, like the two training centres further north, as the quality of the existing buildings is clearly evident.