A Different Perspective on Living

“Maison Oblique was born from the idea that a house does not necessarily have to belong to a style, an era, or a geography. I was interested in building a space capable of welcoming my contradictions, the travels, the objects, and the passions that accompany me. I believe that the most authentic elegance comes precisely from the ability to bring different worlds together, without giving up one's identity.” — David Morini, CEO & Architect, Pelizzari Studio

In the oldest heart of Brescia, along the Roman decumanus that crosses the UNESCO corridor between the Capitoline Temple and the monumental complex of Santa Giulia, Maison Oblique was born from the encounter between the memory of a place and the contemporary vision of those who chose to inhabit it.

The project, designed by Pelizzari Studio, is the private residence of David Morini, architect and CEO of the studio. A deeply personal intervention in which architecture becomes the means to give shape to experiences, passions, and cultural references, creating a space that eschews stylistic conventions to assert its own identity.

The name Maison Oblique refl ects this exact approach: a non-linear perspective on living, in which different eras, geographies, and languages come together through unexpected pairings. Not a pursuit of eclecticism for its own sake, but the desire to build a coherent narrative through seemingly distant elements.

A new chapter in history
The residence is located inside a 15th-century palazzo overlooking a secluded courtyard set among medieval and Renaissance architecture. An urban context of extraordinary historical density, where the layers of the city become an integral part of the domestic experience.

The apartment's last renovation dated back to the 1960s, leaving spaces devoid of particular architectural value. From this condition arose the opportunity to completely rethink the home through a comprehensive building, technological, and layout redevelopment.

The project tackled the complexity of a historic building while respecting the heritage constraints on the facades, integrating state-of-the-art technological systems and contemporary solutions for living comfort.

The objective was not to recreate an idealized image of the past, nor to introduce a contemporary language in opposition to the existing structure. Rather, it sought a balance in which the new intervention could represent an additional layer in the long life of the building. History is not interpreted as a design constraint, but as a living material with which to establish a dialogue.

The architecture of infl uences
Maison Oblique takes shape through a sequence of spaces in which color, texture, and light craft distinct atmospheres while maintaining strong compositional continuity.
The layout pathway becomes one of the most defi ning elements of the project. The main corridor, envisioned as a domestic greenhouse, is defi ned by large glass surfaces, vegetation, and swamp-green walls. A succession of etched brass portals marks the passage to the main rooms, transforming a traditionally functional space into an architectural experience.

Natural light streams through the corridor, altering the perception of surfaces and accentuating its almost botanical quality. The relationship between inside and outside relies not only on the window openings, but also on the presence of greenery, which becomes an integral part of the composition.
The living room expresses the design language with particular clarity. A large bookcase designed by Pelizzari Studio, crafted from brass and Makassar ebony, houses books, artworks, and objects collected over time. The rigorous design of the structure dialogues with the richness of the wood and metal surfaces, creating a sophisticated yet deeply welcoming backdrop.

At the center of the room, the sofa upholstered in pumpkin-orange Dedar velvet introduces an intense chromatic presence, contrasting with the deeper tones of the space. An etched brass coffee table, custom-designed for the project, completes the composition, while an artwork by Lucio Salvatore helps defi ne the room's artistic character.
The result is a space where design, art, and antiques are not organized according to rigid hierarchies, but coexist through personal connections, proportions, and material affi nities.

The pleasure of the unexpected
The project refl ects a sensibility close to the universe of Carlo Mollino, evoked in certain details through the relationship between function, sensuality of form, and decorative freedom.

It is above all in the attention to seemingly secondary elements that this affi nity emerges: handles, passageways, surfaces, and small architectural moments take on a narrative role, transcending their original function.
Two cabinet doors upholstered in blue Dedar fabric are adorned with sculptural brass handles shaped like seahorses. A precious and whims

ical detail that introduces one of the project's subtlest references: the nautical world.
This imagery returns in the ship-style staircase leading to the upper fl oor, concealed behind a door in the guest bathroom. The stairwell, completely enveloped in an intense raspberry color, represents one of the home's most surprising moments.

The discreet entry suddenly gives way to an almost theatrical dimension, where color assumes an autonomous architectural force.
These design choices restore a sense of discovery and wonder to living, introducing a playful dimension within a project that is extremely rigorous in its detailing.

A bow over the sea of rooftops
The reference to travel fi nds its most signifi cant expression in the south-facing terrace.
Reaching out over the city's historical fabric, the terrace appears like the bow of a ship suspended above a sea of terracotta roofs. The gaze sweeps across roofs, courtyards, and architecture from different eras, offering a fresh perspective on the center of Brescia.

Here, the landscape becomes part of the architecture.
The terrace is conceived as a natural extension of the interior spaces—an open-air room where greenery, furnishings, and surfaces create a space dedicated to contemplation and gathering.
Large glass doors establish visual and functional continuity between inside and outside, allowing light to penetrate deep into the residence and transforming its atmosphere throughout the day.
The relationship with the landscape is not merely visual: the surrounding historic architecture enters daily life, serving as a constant reminder of the extraordinary context in which the house is situated.

In this view, Maison Oblique also becomes a privileged observatory over the city—a place from which to look at history through a contemporary lens.

East and West: personal geographies
Alongside references to 20th-century European culture, the design reveals a deep connection with Asian art and antiques.
These are not merely decorative touches, but presences that tell the story of a personal cultural universe, where objects carry value as testimonies, memories, and aesthetic benchmarks.

The primary bedroom is one of the clearest examples of this dialogue.
Above the headboard hangs an antique Japanese folding screen from the Edo period, depicting bamboo and cherry blossoms on a gold leaf background. The artwork becomes the focal point of the room, introducing the delicacy of Japanese painting into a contemporary setting.

The golden surfaces of the screen react to both natural and artifi cial light, shifting the perception of the piece throughout the day. The botanical composition, suspended between abstraction and representation, gives the room a contemplative quality.
The dialogue between East and West does not seek symmetrical balance, but grows out of the free association of elements from different traditions.
It is precisely this ability to build unexpected relationships that defi nes the identity of Maison Oblique.

Material, color, and precision
Material exploration represents one of the foundational principles of the project.
Each room is characterized by a specifi c palette, crafted through bold color combinations and natural materials selected for their expressive power.

The kitchen is conceived as an architectural volume entirely clad in etched brass. The metallic fi nish, with its subtle surface variations, gives depth and character to the cabinet doors, transforming a functional element into an almost sculptural presence.
The Verde Alpi marble countertop adds a rich mineral element, while a vertical mirror visually expands the room and multiplies the refl ections of the metal surfaces.
In the bathrooms, natural stone takes center stage.