The apartment in question is located on the second floor of a historic building dating back to the late 15th century.
The project involved a complete reorganization of the interior layout, replacing the previous configuration, which was centered around a long corridor distributing access to all rooms. Now, entry occurs through a smaller, carefully proportioned vestibule, framed by a distinctive asymmetrical reveal that establishes a strong visual and spatial connection with the living area.
The living room, rectangular in plan, is illuminated by two of the four deep, round-arched niche windows—distinctive features of the building’s original period. At the heart of the composition and functionality lies a central block that integrates the kitchen and fireplace: an autonomous volume around which circulation flows freely, aided by the absence of wall-mounted furniture. Where possible, storage elements are recessed into the walls to ensure visual continuity and spatial lightness.
The kitchen/fireplace block extends vertically without reaching the ceiling, creating a gap that is cleverly used for indirect lighting of the kitchen worktop. Similarly, the dropped ceiling—like the walls perpendicular to the building’s main façade—stops short of connecting to the historic load-bearing wall. This choice allows for an uninterrupted reading of the original masonry, enhancing the rhythm set by the arched openings and lightening the visual impact of the ceiling. The resulting gap serves a technical function as well, housing integrated lighting fixtures, roller blinds, and the grilles for the mechanical ventilation system (MVHR), all subtly concealed.
The layout emphasizes the centrality of the living area and functional block, whose placement is both constrained and accentuated by the presence of a pre-existing column around which the volume develops. The block’s design is characterized by formal purity: compact volumes, absence of handles or horizontal grooves, flush blind panels, and 45-degree corners—details that convey clarity and abstraction. Inside the volume, various technical elements are accommodated: the fireplace, log storage, flue, and rear island base units face the living area, while the pantry, extractor hood, cooktop, dishwasher, and base units are located on the kitchen-facing side.
The ceiling, along with the walls perpendicular to the historic structural wall on the main façade, stops just short of touching it, avoiding direct contact. This strategy subtly declares the presence of the original wall—even though it shares the same finish as the surrounding surfaces—preserving its continuity and honoring the compositional rhythm established by the arched windows. This gap is not only a formal gesture but also serves a technical purpose, hosting indirect lighting and concealing components such as roller blinds and elements of the mechanical ventilation system.
On either side of the living area, invisible flush doors—finished in the same tone as the walls and free of trim—lead to the private rooms. These secondary spaces (bedrooms and bathrooms) are not accessed via a single corridor but are distributed around the central core in irregular geometries, forming trapezoidal volumes that enhance the dynamic perception of the floor plan.
The material and color palette is deliberately restrained and essential. Walls are left free from furniture, and the minimalism of the furnishings contributes to a contemplative, balanced atmosphere—one that invites enrichment over time through daily life and the personal imprint of its inhabitants.
