Two-level loft in a historical building; Tomas Ghisellini Architects; Tomas Ghisellini, Alice Marzola │BIG SEE Awards 2018

At the top of an interesting multi-storey rationalist building of the 50’s, a large flat on two originally independent levels is transformed into a contemporary and seamless domestic space.

The project completely rewrites the articulation of former rooms by mixing the two overlapping spaces, till then completely autonomous, in a unique environment where natural light comes from above as a liquid substance.

The grand living reaches a striking double height just near the entrance and the dining room; glances run uninterrupted upward from the door in so that everyone is surprised by the sudden vision of the sky.

The large central void attracts pure volumes that almost seem to dive in as driven by mysterious forces.

The small “village” of architectural bodies has an undisputed protagonist: a kind of stereometric crystal, like a large gemstone, occupies the gravity centre of the composition hosting a white kitchen in the inside. The vitreous skin, opened according to different configurations, assigns different percentages of visual permeability to spaces.

The shiny and softly reflective volume, duplicates the same spaces for which it constitutes a disciplining element; distributions, illuminated by shafts of light in the ceiling, seem to belong to a fascinating labyrinth of mirrors.

Upstairs, reached by a surprisingly light staircase obtained by “folding” the natural wood flooring, a studio-living leans directly onto the main spaces below. A terrace cut into the sloping roof, facing wonderful views through an entirely transparent wall, brings home distant horizons.

A deep niche carved into the attic walls gives room to a soft sofa convertible into a double bed and, if necessary, in dozens of other user configurations. The studio easily turns into a in mini-apartment for guests, a home-lounge for parties, a reading room, a private indoor-outdoor terrace and much more.

Terraces and roof gardens complete this domestic scenario where perceptual and functional diversity is one of the most important added values. Spaces, fluid and flexible, host editable solutions and custom furnishings that builds only temporary configurations.

The original spatial constriction evolves into new freedom of use; transparency, permeability and lightness are the main terms of the language by which the project speaks to its inhabitants.