A seaside shelter in the Genoese village of Vernazzola
The house is located on the top floor of a a 1960s building in the Genoese village of Vernazzola bordering that of Boccadasse and enjoys a panoramic view of the sea and the Gulf of Levante. The project completely transformed the layout of the spaces, favoring an open, bright living area connected to the terrace above, duplicating the bedrooms and enlarging the bathroom. With the new glass skylight the living room is flooded with light and via the iron staircase with a light and transparent design, which becomes the connection between inside and outside, you can directly access the terrace.
A multifunctional piece of furniture, inspired by boat lockers, organizes and defines the living room space, performing different functions: TV and audio units, container, seat and ladder. This custom-made furniture is made with blockboard panels veneered in natural oak, like the shelves above it occupied by the numerous books. On the opposite wall, the navy blue portal delimits the border between the dining area and the living room, connecting both visually and physically these two spaces; it becomes a bookcase that hides the kitchen columns.
The entire space is large, open and projected towards the outside, thanks to the large windows that allow light to penetrate and allow you to enjoy the view of the sea.
For this home, natural materials and tones were chosen that recall the wood of the boats and the blue colors of the sea, linked by neutral and bright shades such as white and light grey. A textured top in white Carrara marble was chosen for the cooking and washing area and for the wall covering, revisiting the traditional Genoese sink. The volume of the built-in hood remains the only colored element on the top together with the Applique de Marseille by Le Corbusier, essential and extremely functional, which illuminate it. Mansonia walnut oiled oak is the essence chosen for the parquet laid in an Italian herringbone pattern, decorated with natural slate inserts in the perimeter niches, capable of evoking the taste of tradition. Natural oak was chosen for the custom-made furnishings of the living room and for the covering of the closet doors.
The main bedroom is accessed via the central hallway, filtered by a custom-designed wardrobe area; the ceiling that covers it is painted with a light color in balance with the sea that can be seen from the window. The bathroom was conceived as a real room to live in: the space dedicated to the shower is the only part covered with textured wall tiles of a deep blue-grey, to enhance and highlight this corner of relaxation. The plinth has been reinterpreted with the creation of a “box” effect defined by the terracotta- colored floor tiles that cover the entire space of the room and which rise up to the height of the bathroom fixtures.
The project represents a combination of functionality, light and relationship with the sea. Each furnishing element has been designed to offer comfort and transform the space into a seaside refuge, transferring the flavor of the outdoors inside too.
