On the wooded slopes above Lake Maggiore, where 19th-century villas still dominate the shoreline, few contemporary homes break from tradition.

Pinwheel, a 2021 residence in the hills above Lake Maggiore, does just that with its pentagonal form and sculptural white façade. The property is now on the market for €995,000 with Italy Sotheby’s International Realty.

Set in Luino—a hillside enclave known for its centuries-old weekly market and proximity to the Swiss border—the home lies on the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore, Italy’s second-largest lake after Garda. Part of the country’s celebrated Italian Lakes district, Maggiore has historically attracted writers and aristocrats, yet remains quieter than Como. Its location also places the property within 90 minutes of Milan and 45 minutes of Lugano, offering direct access to both Italian and Swiss cultural hubs.

The 184 sq m (1,980 sq ft) home includes two bedrooms and two bathrooms across a single storey, with an additional basement level. It was designed by JM Architecture, the Milan-based studio founded by Jacopo Mascheroni, an architect trained at Politecnico di Milano, École d’Architecture Paris-Belleville, and UC Berkeley. Before establishing his practice in 2005, Mascheroni worked in the United States with Richard Meier & Partners in New York and Stanley Saitowitz in San Francisco.

The residence takes its name from the rotational rhythm of its five-sided plan. Rounded corners soften the pentagonal geometry, while alternating glazed panels and aluminum fins animate the façade and frame views of the lake and surrounding Alps. At the center, a circular skylight defines the layout, channeling daylight into the open-plan living and dining areas. The private wing contains the bedrooms and bathrooms, while the basement level includes storage, a utility room, and a multipurpose space suitable for a gym, cinema, or wellness suite.

Construction was carried out with prefabricated timber framing assembled on site in six months. Systems include high-performance insulation, underfloor heating, controlled ventilation, air conditioning, and a modern heat pump. Plans for an integrated photovoltaic canopy would further increase the property’s energy efficiency.

Pinwheel has received industry recognition, having been longlisted in the Archello Awards 2023 and highlighted by THE PLAN Award.

In short, Pinwheel is rare because it brings bold contemporary architecture, international design pedigree, and high-efficiency construction to a market defined by 19th- and 20th-century villas. At €995,000, it offers an award-recognized residence at a price below many of the lake’s historic properties—an uncommon opportunity for design collectors or those seeking a modern primary or holiday home.