In Rome’s Trastevere district, where cobbled streets and modest façades conceal real architectural treasures, a bold project to modernise one such centuries-old site has been realised. Deep in the courtyard on Viale di Trastevere, the architects at STUDIOTAMAT have brought a small Liberty-style building back to life. It was built in the mid-19th century and in its long history has served as, among other things, a caretaker’s flat or a doctor’s office. After years of oblivion, the single-family house in Rome has been transformed into an intimate urban haven for two.
Details worth preserving
From the outset, the architects at STUDIOTAMAT wanted to preserve the most characteristic elements of the building. Particular attention was paid to the veranda finished with coloured glass in pastel shades of green, pink and yellow. They recreated the original rhythm of the glazing with precision and respect for the historic form, replacing the old wooden structure with a modern framework of steel and glass for protection from the sun. The removal of the door separating the veranda from the interior allowed more light into the rooms and opened up the living room to the lush garden. The changing shades of glass throughout the day create a unique atmosphere. The three-storey building with a total area of 110 square metres is crowned by a terrace surrounded by greenery.
The house in Rome – reorganising the layout
The interior of this Italian house also underwent a major reorganisation. The previous layout did not meet the owners’ expectations. Above all, the cramped spiral staircase needed modernisation, so it was decided to make radical yet subtle changes. As part of these, the kitchen was moved to the veranda area, making room for a modern chestnut wood staircase. The first step, clad in Verde Alpi marble, additionally functions as a base for the built-in bookcase under the flight of stairs. Next to this structure was a mirrored enclosure in the same type of wood, which conceals the washing machine and further enlarges the space.
Natural light and fine materials
The new living room has gained depth thanks to a high window opening onto the lush greenery of the neighbouring gardens. The interior design is enhanced by the iconic Falkland lamps by Bruno Munari. The individually designed kitchen, devoid of upper cabinets, has been given a minimalist character. Its form is based on a linear Verde Alpi marble worktop and drawers whose colours flow seamlessly from black to light brown. These colours subtly relate to the preserved original terracotta floor. The ground floor of the house is further divided by colour: one side houses the fridge and pantry, while the other side houses a small, discreet toilet, enclosed in a deep blue block.
A play of colours and forms
The blue, expressive form continues upwards, passing through the mezzanine to the main bathroom. Here, historical inspiration meets contemporary design: the Art Nouveau-style Ex.t furniture, the Mater tiles designed by Patricia Urquiola and the Quadro Design fittings by Formafantasma create an interesting and bold mosaic. Thanks to the partial opening of the mezzanine ceiling, it was possible to let more light into the interior. The glass floor panels allow visual contact between the levels, while the mirrored surfaces below reflect the light, creating a feeling of spaciousness and clearly marking the presence of the blue element.
Wood at the top
The rest of the floors in the building are finished with Forêt parquet by Raphaël Navot for Oscar Ono Paris. The oak slats, with their visible grain, are a nod to the cobbled streets of 19th-century Paris and ancient Rome. The bedroom has been furnished with a specially designed bed with drawers and an integrated headboard, the colour scheme of which is related to the kitchen furniture, thus creating a coherent composition between the floors.
The staircase and the subtle intimacy of the terrace
A second staircase leads to the studio, which is made of raw iron and cherry wood. Its spiral layout introduces a contemporary art element to the interior. The bathroom is separated from the rest of the space by a glass wall, the rhythm of which refers to the preserved veranda. Uniform strips of frosted and fluted glass create an elegant partition in a modernist style. The door here simultaneously functions as a shower wall, and a washbasin in the house’s recurring Verde Alpi marble penetrates the glass panel, becoming a shared work surface. The terrace located at the top of the building is finished with stone in two shades of green, which blends naturally with the surrounding vegetation and emphasises the colour harmony of the overall design.
The house in Rome and its essence
As Matteo Soddu, co-founder of studio STUDIOTAMAT, points out, the first step was to remove unnecessary elements and give the space breath. The original building structure and terracotta floor were retained, but the whole was complemented by expressive volumes, reflective surfaces and a strong material cohesion. The mirrored ceiling above the blue structure creates the impression of infinite vertical space, and the whole strikes a balance between expression and tranquillity.
Project: STUDIOTAMAT (Tommaso Amato, Matteo Soddu and Valentina Paiola)
Location: Rome, Italy
Area: 110 sq m.
Photography: Serena Eller/Ellerstudio
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