A place TO BE

Authors’ Comment

The project subtly explores the balance between functionality and aesthetic expression, offering a coherent and harmonious space where materials, light, and proportions form a common language. This is an interior that not only shelters but embraces, a place where every detail contributes to an atmosphere of calm and visual clarity.

The current dwelling is functionally well resolved, but the limited size of the interior spaces required a carefully considered planimetric intervention aimed at creating more generous, well-proportioned, and user-friendly rooms. One of the key transformations involved the extension of the existing garage and its conversion into a bright and comfortable home office. At the ground floor level, the functional reorganization allowed for the creation of a spacious kitchen naturally connected to the dining area, resulting in a fluid and open layout. These adjustments led to a more balanced, coherent, and efficient home, maximizing the use of every square meter.

The beauty of this space is born from the carefully selected variety of materials. Oak wood defines the main surfaces, providing a warm and pleasant backdrop. Alongside it, Terrazzo finishes bring a natural, subtly textured contrast that balances the ensemble and adds a note of visual diversity. Together, these materials compose a tactile and visual experience, in which each element is revealed through light.

Light, whether natural or artificial, is treated as a fundamental element in shaping both atmosphere and spatial perception. It interacts directly with the materials, enhancing their texture as well as the proportions of each room. Each light source is deliberately placed to emphasize key areas and to contribute to a balanced ambiance. The lighting design supports a coherent and visually legible space where forms and materials become more expressive and easy to read.

Special attention is given to the interior staircase, transformed into both a functional and visual element. The wood cladding gives it sculptural presence, while the continuous handrail, subtly highlighted by a hidden LED strip, creates a warm guiding line between floors.

The furniture pieces do not disrupt the compositional calm, but rather integrate thoughtfully within it. Each item is carefully selected to match the already established materiality and color palette, contributing to a familiar, warm atmosphere where one can feel at home.

Overall, the project defines an honest, warm, and balanced interior architecture, a composition in which spatial clarity, the beauty of materials, and the interaction with light come together in a deeply human and comforting living environment.