In the heart of Rome, where antiquity meets the present, Casa Coo has been created, a project by the architecture studio Margine, founded by architects Giulio Ciccarese and Valentina Pontieri. In the Monti district, nestled among buildings near the Colle Oppio park, just a few hundred meters from the Domus Aurea, stands the Villino Brini-Meschini. This small and characteristic example of Roman Barocchetto was designed by architect Pietro Aschieri in 1923, commissioned by the decorator duo Brini-Meschini, who were prominent figures in Rome’s Art Nouveau movement and lent their names to the building.
Casa Coo is located in the Monti district, a stone’s throw from the Domus Aurea and Colle Oppio, within the Villino Brini-Meschini. Built in 1923, designed by Pietro Aschieri, this building exemplifies the Roman Barocchetto style, an architectural trend blending elements of Rome’s Art Nouveau with a more austere elegance. The villa was commissioned by two decorators of the time, the Brini-Meschini family, who left their mark through unique details like the staircase adorned with an inlaid cherry wood handrail and a classically inspired trompe l’œil.
The new owners entrusted Margine with the task of transforming this penthouse into a contemporary, bright, and functional space. The client wanted to preserve the home’s history but reinterpret it in a modern way, creating a space suitable for a family with minimalist aesthetic tastes. Margine embraced this challenge, focusing on a sober and rational design capable of establishing a dialogue between tradition and contemporary architectural elements.
Before the renovation, the penthouse was divided into small, inefficient rooms, with decorations and coverings that weighed down the space. Margine’s project aimed to remove unnecessary adornments and highlight the original structural elements. During the work, valuable historical features were uncovered, such as the stone intrados with steel beams hidden beneath the living room’s false ceiling. Recovering these details allowed the space to breathe, restoring a sense of openness and monumentality.
Natural light, enhanced by the penthouse’s triple exposure, is a key element of the project. To make the most of this feature, the architects chose dark, dense tones that contrast with the space’s brightness, creating an intimate yet airy atmosphere. One of the most significant interventions is the new kitchen, created in the completely redesigned veranda, which acts as a bridge between interior and exterior. Built in steel and suspended, the kitchen visually merges with the terrace, paved in herringbone terracotta, a tribute to Roman tradition. Continuity between interior and exterior is reinforced by the fireplace base, which extends into the kitchen in microcement.
Each room in the house has been reimagined to meet modern needs and ensure maximum functionality without sacrificing aesthetics. The master bedroom, with a breathtaking view of the Colosseum, features Prussian blue walls and a restored modular floor. A central Moon lamp by Davide Groppi adds a nocturnal effect, evoking the tranquility of a starlit sky.
The children’s rooms have been designed with creative, custom solutions. In the former kitchen and bathroom area, a small room was created with a built-in alcove featuring a raised bed, drawer-stairs, and a multifunctional headboard. The flooring is a significant detail: a central light oak tile creates a division of quadrants where the wood is laid in alternating directions, a tribute to Italian craftsmanship.
The original wooden window frames have been restored and updated with low-emissivity double glazing, improving the home’s thermal comfort while preserving its historical appearance. The choice of window frames, along with cast iron radiators and architectural details like lighting by Groppi, Flos, and Viabizzuno, represents a perfect balance between tradition and modernity. For more information visit www.margine.net.
CREDITS
Project: Casa Coo
Studio: Margine
Location: Rome, Italy
Year: 2024
Photo: Lorenzo Zandri
