On September 14, 2024, FAI inaugurated La Velarca, the house-boat designed by the Milanese Studio BBPR (Gian Luigi Banfi, Lodovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso, Enrico Peressutti, and Ernesto Nathan Rogers) in 1959 and anchored in Ossuccio, Tremezzina, on Lake Como, opposite the Isola Comacina. Donated to FAI in 2011 by Aldo and Maria Luisa Norsa, La Velarca has returned to its original mooring after an extensive restoration and is now open to the public

A Small Masterpiece of Modern Architecture

Not just a simple house-boat, but a small masterpiece of modern architectural history, designed by the same architects behind the Torre Velasca, a symbol of Milan, deliberately referenced in the name "Velarca." It is not merely a holiday home, but a special place envisioned by Fiammetta and Emilio, the parents of Aldo Norsa, intended to receive, welcome, and bring together friends and acquaintances who had already frequented their Milanese home. Among them were prominent figures of Italian culture, including the Milanese architects Rogers, Peressutti, and Belgiojoso, as well as Riccardo Sambonet, Gio Ponti, Gillo Dorfles, Eugenio Montale, Lucio Fontana, Umberto Eco, Cesare Musatti, and others.

A New FAI Property on Lake Como

A new FAI property is now open to the public, alongside the nearby Villa del Balbianello and Torre del Soccorso, all within the same municipality of Tremezzina. This addition offers a new cultural experience for Lake Como, with FAI aiming to promote more diverse and sustainable tourism by providing a fresh destination, a new perspective on the Larian landscape, and a new story to tell that will captivate curious visitors and satisfy both specialists and enthusiasts.

Furthermore, it is a truly unique cultural asset, yet a monument in every sense: a pinnacle of Italian culture in modern architecture and design, reflecting the incredible variety and richness of the country’s heritage, which FAI is committed to protecting and promoting for everyone, forever.

"La Velarca is one of those 'details' that make Italy's cultural heritage priceless and extend its vastness and diversity far beyond what we can imagine. La Velarca is a sublime 'whim,' a small masterpiece of the 20th century, whimsical, eccentric, and one-of-a-kind, as often happens when a cultured, intelligent, and lively patronage like the Norsa couple meets professionals of the caliber of BBPR. It is an honor for FAI to have been entrusted by the Norsa heirs to perpetuate its existence and tell its story and value," declared Marco Magnifico, President of FAI - Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano.

The Extensive Restoration

The restoration, overseen by FAI, began in 2013 and involved reconstruction, restoration, recovery, and functional adaptation of La Velarca, requiring significant time and resources.

It quickly became apparent from investigations that the hull, the structural part of La Velarca, was beyond restoration due to severe deterioration. As a result, the decision was made to tow the boat from Ossuccio to Maslianico, to the Ernesto Riva Shipyard, to reconstruct the hull and the fore and aft decks, as well as to recover, with substantial integration, the upper living space.

The interiors underwent a second phase of work: part of them were reconstructed, part restored, and all were integrated with the utmost fidelity to what was preserved or visible in historical photos. Furniture, functional details, and even objects were recovered or added to restore La Velarca to its original appearance as a home, its full functionality, and the atmosphere of its time.

Thanks to funding from the Basin Authority and the Lombardy Region, maintenance work was also completed on the existing dock in Ossuccio, where La Velarca is once again moored, and a new public dock was built, where boats carrying visitors from Villa del Balbianello will dock.

The final touches included the restoration of the garden: the narrow green area was revamped with an initial layout featuring simple grass and flowers, awaiting the realization of a more structured project, inspired by the original design by the BBPR studio, to be completed by spring of 2025.

The Visit

The visit to La Velarca is enhanced by original podcasts and a video story, broadcast on a 1960s TV, dedicated to the history of the house-boat: from the discovery of the “Corriera Tremezzina” as the base for the project, to the design of the house-boat by the BBPR studio, and the recounting of the extensive restoration work that has made it fully functional and open to the public today.

The restoration and enhancement interventions were carried out by FAI thanks to the fruitful collaboration with public institutions and the contributions from private individuals, companies, and citizens. Special thanks to Regione Lombardia, the Municipality of Tremezzina for their patronage, and the Basin Authority of Lake Como and the smaller lakes for their contribution. Thanks also to Nora McNeely Hurley / Manitou Fund and Friends of FAI for their support. Additionally, thanks to the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage and Activities.