Lightness in interior architecture is not merely a matter of subtraction, but rather a delicate balance between material, light, and proportion. It is a perceptual quality that emerges when space is able to suspend the weight of things, transforming surfaces and details into a quiet and luminous domestic landscape. It is precisely around this idea of suspension and chromatic delicacy that the residential project designed by Loto AD Project, led by architect Giorgia Dennerlein, takes shape within a 160-square-meter apartment located in a historic Roman building.
The intervention originates from a dialogue between the architectural memory of the building and a contemporary design sensibility capable of reinterpreting, with precision and restraint, the language of Roman Rationalism from the 1940s. Inspiration stems in particular from the building’s entrance hall, characterized by classical details and a rigorous fluted motif that accompanies the main staircase and defines the balconies. This architectural sign becomes the generative element of the project: inside the apartment it is reinterpreted as a perimeter band in travertine that runs along the walls and aligns with the height of the large windows, establishing a visual continuity between interior and exterior.
The apartment unfolds through a clear and linear spatial organization. A generous entrance introduces the main living area, while a corridor equipped with custom-built wardrobes leads to the two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The entire project is defined by an essential stylistic approach, where the reduction of elements does not imply expressive austerity but rather allows the quality of materials and the precision of details to emerge.
Stone becomes the true connective thread of the intervention. Travertine not only defines the perimeter band that traverses the rooms but also extends across the flooring, creating a continuous material surface that reinforces the spatial unity of the apartment. Upon this neutral and luminous base, furnishings and surfaces are carefully crafted with an artisanal sensibility: custom cabinetry, doors, and built-in furniture contribute to shaping a discreet yet refined domestic language.
In the living area, a transparent glass partition introduces a light threshold between the living room and the kitchen while preserving visual continuity. Here, the kitchen is installed against a mirrored backdrop that reflects the entire living space, amplifying the perception of depth. This play of reflections further reinforces the sense of spatial suspension that characterizes the project as a whole.
The bathrooms, conceived as intimate design environments, reveal a refined dialogue between stone and marble marked by expressive veining. In these spaces, materiality takes on a stronger expressive role, introducing controlled contrasts that enrich the composition without disrupting its overall balance.
The chromatic palette accompanies this spatial construction with careful restraint. Sand tones and light surfaces amplify the natural brightness entering through the large windows, while accents of powder blue introduce a delicate note that recalls the Roman sky and gives the interior a sense of airy suspension. The result is an elegant and serene environment where materials, colors, and proportions converge to create an atmosphere of balance and lightness, transforming everyday living into an experience of calm and visual continuity.
CREDITS
Project: Pollaiolo Apartment
Architects: Loto AD Project – Giorgia Dennerlein
Location: Rome (RM), Italy
Year: 2025
Photographs: Serena Eller
