This is a flat of approximately 60 m² in one of Genoa’s most distinctive residential areas.
The large building, constructed at the beginning of the 20th century and one of the first to feature a concrete structure, is situated directly alongside the route of one of the historic funicular railways connecting the city centre with the ring road on the hill. From the upper floors of the building (the flat is on the penultimate floor), there is an almost panoramic view of the city. The view encompasses the whole of Genoa, from the Lanterna to the eastern districts, with the historic centre and its monuments at the heart of it all.

The view therefore became the most important element in the renovation of the flat, which already had plenty of windows, including two unique ‘trifora’ windows in the living room, all facing south or south-east.
The desire to simplify the layout meant, in particular, that the small bathroom and the large kitchen had to be redesigned to create a larger bathroom with a bath and shower, and a kitchenette. It was also necessary to create a separate study area, distinct from the other rooms, to facilitate working from home.
Whilst the bedroom has therefore remained as it was originally and a simple half-height storage space has been added in the hall, the old kitchen has been converted into a bathroom, whilst the small bathroom was demolished to make way for the new kitchenette and to shorten the hallway.

And it is precisely in the hallway that the most striking feature of the entire project is to be found: tucked away in a blind spot, opposite the entrance, lies the study – a triangular, wall-mounted desk enclosed by six mirrored folding doors. This clever optical trick, reminiscent of a periscope, reflects the stunning view the moment you step into the hall and diffuses the incredible light from the living room throughout the entire hallway.
The finishes, colour choices and materials strike a balance between the desire to harmonise the new spaces with some of the original finishes, such as the beautiful Genoese terrazzo floors, the original wooden windows and doors, the stucco on the ceiling and the unique concrete structure. For instance, the entire hallway, the study and the kitchenette feature different wall colours to emphasise their role as connecting elements, both physically and visually. This is further emphasised by the grey resin floor, which also helps to link the old floors together following the demolition and accentuate the preserved terrazzo floors in the bedroom and living room.

The kitchen cupboard doors are made of MDF with a transparent protective finish, whilst the sides of the fridge and the open corner shelves are painted in the same colour as the walls. As a nod to the marble-coloured accents in the terrazzo floors, the worktop and splashback are finished in Carrara marble with inlays of Siena yellow marble, matching the small peninsula and the shelf above the sink.
The living room, which benefits from an incredible amount of natural light, is thematically defined by the four sides bordering it: the south and east sides open up to views of the city and the sea (the latter also provides access to a small balcony). The west side opens onto the kitchenette; here, the difference in wall colour, the change in flooring and the peninsula frame the transition between the spaces.
On the north side, the only solid wall in the room accommodates two large bespoke shelves.

The bathroom is characterised by a carefully chosen colour scheme that highlights the bright southern light streaming into the room through the small window, which offers the same view as the other windows.
White tiles, a grey resin floor and inserts of the same Carrara marble as in the kitchen (such as the worktop by the washbasin, the raised step and the corner shower tray – made to order without glass or a curtain) define the look of this space, which derives its richness from the attention to detail, particularly in the transitions and junctions between the materials.
Finally, the building’s structure, which was already quite unique, was enhanced by removing the plaster from the concrete pillars and beams, cleaning them and painting them white. The concrete, the smooth walls and the original stucco on the ceiling create a richer texture of white surfaces.

The renovation of this flat can be described as a fusion of the location’s unique characteristics, the original architectural features and the changing living requirements, whilst at the same time paying particular attention to the budget available for the renovation. The result is an inviting home that is ready to move into, with a slightly youthful feel but also a touch of tradition, where one never tires of observing what is happening around and enjoying the view.