The La Fotosintesi studio has designed an 85-metre flat in Naples, specifically in the Chiaia district. The property comprises a workspace on the ground floor and a private area situated on the mezzanine. The interior features a striking red spiral staircase, a marble reception desk and vintage furniture, combined with works of art and a collection of curiosities. This flat is truly one of a kind!
The division of the flat into two zones
The high ceilings of the townhouse have made it possible to separate the apartment’s two functions across the different levels. The ground floor comprises the reception area, waiting room and office – the part intended for work and receiving guests. Above this, a mezzanine has been created with private accommodation: a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, a walk-in wardrobe and a small kitchen. This layout draws a clear line between professional life and relaxation, despite the relatively modest floor area.
A stylish flat in Naples
At the heart of the entire design is a spiral staircase made of red-lacquered metal. Its sculptural form stands out sharply against its surroundings, whilst the vivid colour is echoed in the window frames and the bespoke countertop made of red French marble. Next to it stands a stool designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell, alongside a 1970s chrome-plated steel table lamp. These bold accents are complemented by softer shades of lilac, pale blue and turquoise, evoking the Mediterranean atmosphere of southern Italy and Naples itself.
A cabinet of curiosities in the flat
The designers’ starting point was the contemporary ‘cabinet de curiosités’, or cabinet of curiosities. Within the flat, they have displayed medical instruments, vessels, shells and various collectable finds. Viewed up close, they catch the eye, yet do not occupy every available space. A careful selection of objects has helped to maintain the lightness of the interior. Art, functional furnishings and small exhibits have been given enough space here for each to stand out on its own.
A designer flat in Naples
In the lounge, sofas designed by Göran Malmvall in the 1940s sit alongside a curved Kartell bookcase and a gilded Florentine chandelier from the 1920s. Lithographs by Concetto Pozzati from 1974 hang on the walls. Rather than recreating the aesthetic of a single era, the designers have juxtaposed contrasting forms, materials and finishes. The bathroom, decorated in shades of brown, has a distinct atmosphere, with references to brutalism and mid-20th-century design. Its fittings are complemented by brass wall lights designed by Holm Sørensen and an Artemide ceiling lamp.
Private mezzanine and vintage
The collector’s flair is also evident on the upper level of the flat. Next to the compact kitchen stand ‘Banana’ stools designed by Tom Dixon for Cappellini in the 1980s, above which hangs a painted metal lamp in the Space Age style, dating from the previous decade. Another unusual touch is provided by Anglo-Indian chairs finished in silver-plated metal. The artworks on display also include a piece by Cesare Accetta, which forms part of a triptych. This interior is best viewed at a leisurely pace: after the initial impression, dominated by the red staircase, one’s attention is drawn to the textures, subtle details and unexpected juxtapositions of individual objects.
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About the studio:
La Fotosintesi is a Neapolitan architectural practice founded by Giuseppe Punzo and Julie Nebout. Bold colour combinations, furniture from different eras and art play an important role in their projects. The designers make good use of the ceiling heights and unusual layouts of the flats, whilst ensuring comfort in everyday use.
design: La Fotosintesi Studio
photographs: Carlo Oriente
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