The TASIS Global Village
Headmaster Michael Ulku-Steiner's remarks at the 2009 Family Weekend assembly centered on the TASIS Global Village and the school. Download a copy of his speech here: 2009 Headmaster Remarks - Family Weekend.
Over ten years ago, TASIS engaged classical architect and urban designer David Mayernik to develop a Master Plan for the TASIS campus. A careful study of the School’s needs produced a long-term plan for campus development that maximizes the use of the campus space while enhancing its beauty. The guiding idea of the Master Plan was the creation of a village environment organizing the heart of campus around Monticello, and developing a series of villas surrounded by open space. This approach maximizes the School’s development potential and increases the amount of usable green space, while fostering a sense of community.
In 1999 the first phase of the Master Plan was completed with the building of the Palestra (4), which houses the student common room, the dance, fitness, and music studios, and the magnificent multi-use gymnasium. This major multi-purpose building is the bulwark of the hill-town village concept.
Download additional drawings of the TASIS Global Village with current and planned structures identified.
The Palladio-Award winning M. Crist Fleming Library (1), completed in 2004 through the generous donations of former students and parents, houses the TASIS Library and two classrooms with dormitory rooms above. It is situated to the left of Monticello and its Piazza. Above the Palestra, we are building the large Lanterna dormitory and classrooms (6), with faculty apartments (5) incorporated into the complex (to be completed in 2010). David Mayernik's work has been featured in a book entitled New Palladians (2010, Published by Artmedia). Go to the following link for more information about the book New Palladians.
In 2000 TASIS expanded its campus 40% by acquiring the land contiguous to the existing campus to the right of the main entrance. With this addition of land, the Master Plan was expanded toward the north. A former gardener's cottage, Ca Pietra, was renovated in 2001 and currently houses the Admissions Office, IT Department, and the Health Center. Those departments will eventually be relocated to the Campo Science building (13) to make way for the future enlarged sports field. Villa del Sole (16), directly above on the hillside, was restored in 2000 and serves as a dormitory, like its neighboring sister dormitory, Villa Belvedere (14). Villa Del Sole's former outbuilding became Ca Piccola (17), a small dormitory for six students. The handsome new classroom building Aurora (18), to the right of Del Sole, was completed in 2006.
The neighboring Gini property, which overlooks the campus, was added in 2005, and converted into Ca Gioia for classrooms and art studios. Ca Gioia will eventually be replaced by Corona (8) as a dormitory and classrooms. Alba (11) was added in 2007 and currently houses 3 classrooms; plans are to extend it for a Headmaster's residence. Incorporating these two strategically important properties has allowed the School to augment its academic village while enlarging the central “campo”, which will be used as an all-weather sports field (25). Basketball courts will be built atop a future underground parking garage to the north (26) and a swimming pool in the curve of the road (27). The expanded village additionally incorporates a Fine Arts Building (9) built above a practice gym, and the new Compo Science Building (13).
We are pleased to announce that becasue of the support of parents, alumni, and friends of the School, along with the addition of a very generous legacy gift from John E. Palmer '64, we have started construction of the much-anticipated Palmer Cultural Center (PCC) (10). The building is scheduled for completion in November 2009.
Across the Via Collina d'Oro, the former Peter Belin '69 Theater in Hadsall House has been transformed into a new dormitory wing and the old library space on the ground floor was converted into classrooms for the TASIS Elementary School. The Master Plan calls for a new wing connecting Hadsall and Coach Houses, forming a better-defined courtyard, while below Hadsall a new classroom space will be developed under a garden terrace.
Completing the TASIS Global Village will require hard work, dedication, and financial support over the next ten years on the part of many of us associated with TASIS. The challenge is enormous and exciting! Since its founding in 1956, TASIS has established its reputation as the oldest and finest American boarding school in Europe. As we realize our Master Plan, we also have the most beautiful school campus in Europe which is a shining light for Ticino and a proud expression of America's contributions to international culture. We are well on our way.
Lynn Fleming Aeschliman ’63,
Chairman of the TASIS Lugano Board of Directors,
Vice-Chairman, TASIS Foundation Board
Visit the
Campus Media gallery to view photos of the current campus, sketches of the TASIS Global Village, and the progress on the Palmer Cultural Center.
