Ring the bell at Casa delle Magnolie and step into a gallery, a turn-of-the-century apartment reimagined by Substratum to welcome a young couple of art collectors. The project moves between two distinct yet complementary souls: the intimate, private dimension of the residence and the extroverted, public nature of the exhibition space. This dialogue materializes in the careful design of spaces, conceived as ever-changing stages where artworks, oriental objects collected during travels abroad, family heirlooms, and personal details coexist. Every element tells a story: the antique walnut piano, a symbol of his passion, and the iron hat stand with its funnel-shaped arms, a cherished memory of hers.
The architectural challenge stemmed from the impossibility of altering the traditional layout with a central corridor and rooms on either side. Substratum turned this limitation into an opportunity, enhancing both internal and external perspectives. A sequence of wall openings creates visual pathways that connect the rooms in depth, while new symmetrical openings in the load-bearing wall merge the living and dining areas into a dynamic space.
The main axis guides the gaze towards the artist’s studio, the beating heart of domestic creativity. Natural light takes center stage: large windows in the living area and studio frame the majestic magnolia trees, transforming them into botanical paintings, outlined by slim anthracite gray frames.
The vaulted ceilings, stripped of old plaster, reveal perspective lines that amplify the depth of the spaces and draw the eye outward. Materials and finishes create a dialogue between the urban context and the home’s internal atmospheres: the original parquet floors have been restored to highlight their natural grain, while the service rooms feature continuous gray resin surfaces, interrupted by geometric tiles in soft shades of green and blue.
Discreet and carefully calibrated, the artificial lighting uses black linear fixtures that follow the curves of the vaulted ceilings, enhancing the visual rhythm. White walls act as a neutral canvas, allowing the material and chromatic contrasts of the furnishings to stand out: the warm woods of family heirlooms, the cool tones of contemporary furniture, the black geometries of the iron bookcase, and the layered hues of the artworks.
Casa delle Magnolie embraces and reflects the complexity of domestic life—between memory and modernity, intimacy and sharing. It is a home where living becomes storytelling, and every detail speaks of travels, passions, and deep connections. A home that opens up to the world, transforming into an inner landscape of memories, visions, and new possibilities.
CREDITS
Project: Casa Amalia
Studio: Substratum
Location: Roma
Year: 2022
Photo: Dario Borruto
