Refined spaces for a young client with clear ideas who chose velz: architetti to accompany her in realizing one of her dreams: a home for her and her new family. Vaulted spaces, demolished and rebuilt floor slabs, a new groin vault constructed, all this and much more in the renovation and expansion project of Casa Mquadro.
The residence is located in Casarano (LE), a town in the inland of Salento (Italy), within a residential area characterized by constructions from the early 1950s, consisting of two or more rooms with a small associated courtyard.
Casa Mquadro originally comprised two vaulted rooms, two rooms with floor slabs, a small entrance loggia adjacent to a courtyard with direct access from the street, which, through an uncovered staircase, allowed access to the mezzanine level and the rooftop terrace. In the basement, there was a cellar with independent access from the other street.
The pre-existing floor plan had a series of criticalities due to the lack of distribution spaces (the rooms were placed one after another) and limited natural light.
The intervention involved demolishing the two floor slabs rooms and the entrance loggia, followed by reconstruction with an elevation of the old kitchen to the mezzanine level, which became the first floor to accommodate the sleeping area. During the design phase, we decided to demolish the separating wall between the two vaulted rooms to create an open-plan living-kitchen space of approximately 40 sqm. The old loggia was replaced by a small entrance with a groin vault and a service bathroom.
The new groin vault entrance is intimate and welcoming, creating a climax of spatial sensations for the visitor, transitioning from a small groin-vaulted space that draws the gaze upward, inviting entry into the living room, welcomed by the generous height of the stellata vault (typical star-shaped vaults built in this area of Apulia) open-space.
The flat room facing the main façade was demolished to make way for a small courtyard, with a large glass window providing direct access from the living room. This design choice allowed for a dual exposure of the living room and a significant increase in natural light. The kitchen-dining area overlooks the service courtyard, which is also used as a laundry area and can be accessed from the outside.
Through a wide arch from the open-space area, one seamlessly enters the stairwell/corridor leading to two bedrooms: one on the ground floor and the master bedroom with a private bathroom on the first floor, from which one can access a small rooftop garden located above the bathroom and entrance on the ground floor.
The original cement tile flooring was replaced, both for stylistic and functional reasons; it was not possible to preserve it as the two stellata vault rooms had floors with very different designs and colors that would have made the open-space appear less spacious and harmonious. The focus on using local traditional techniques and materials led to the choice of granular flooring, laid and polished in situ. The resulting effect provided continuity between the various areas of the house and contributed to making the residence even brighter, thanks to the reflective finish of the floor surface.
The decoration on the stellata vault emphasizes the geometry of the room and makes it the undisputed protagonist of the space.
The kitchen features full-height cabinets: the oven and other appliances are hidden inside olive-green cabinets, the burners are integrated into the ceramic kitchen surface, which is also used vertically as a backsplash, highlighting the continuity of the veining.
The bathrooms in the house were designed using the monochromatic color block technique: the coverings, grout, bathroom furniture, walls, and accessories all have a single color, varying in its shades and hues.
Every available space was maximized: the under-stairs area becomes a continuous storage unit serving as a pantry and storage, while in the master bedroom, a built-in wall closet and a concealed storage space were created within a niche designed to hide the presence of a pillar.
The house is characterized by a contrasting color palette and bold patterns. Curtains, upholstery, and finishes blend seamlessly, creating a refined and eclectic yet elegant and sophisticated environment.
Assignment
Project development, technical design, and project management. Technical Consultant: Engineer Giuseppe Mita (structural engineering).
Client
Manuela Micaletto
Construction Company
G Ristruttura srls
Location
Casarano (LE)
Photos
40Mirrors
