In the heart of Aventino, one of the most exclusive and fascinating districts of Rome, the apartment designed by Antonella Luciani is the result of a renovation project that blends elegance and functionality in an early 20th-century building. Once the home of the current owner’s family, the residence has undergone a meticulous redesign, radically redefining its interiors to meet modern living needs.
The original floor plan, characterized by an arrangement around a large and dark central atrium, has been completely transformed through the demolition of all non-load-bearing walls and the replacement of a spine wall with iron carpentry. The primary goal was to create a spacious and bright living area at the center of the apartment, while the two rooms—a bedroom and a study/guest room—were positioned at opposite ends of the home. Additionally, the project included the addition of a second bathroom and a walk-in closet, enhancing the overall functionality of the living space.
A distinctive element of the renovation is the insertion of three architectural volumes, deliberately conceived as “intruders” within the emptied space. These volumes, detached from the ceiling to emphasize the geometric reading of the environment, feature a gray finish that contrasts with the white walls and the warm oak parquet laid in a French herringbone pattern. Two of these units house the new bathroom with an adjoining storage area and the walk-in closet, while the third defines the open kitchen in the living area. The kitchen stands out with a lowered false ceiling, a colored accent wall, and cabinetry treated as architectural elements, working by subtraction in contrast to the other two volumes.
The selected furnishings, including a retro-style oak table with inclined legs and a monolithic sofa with quilted seating, along with the material choices, contribute to a refined balance between modernity and tradition, creating a harmonious interplay of references and contrasts. Antonella Luciani’s project is a perfect example of how a historic space can be reinterpreted with contemporary solutions, preserving its original charm while giving it a new residential identity.
CREDITS
Project: Aventino Apt
Studio: Antonella Luciani architetto
Location: Rome, Italy
Year: 2022
Photo: Edi Solari
