With minimalist intervention, Archiplan Studio principals Diego Cisi and Stefano Gorni Silvestrini have given an early-20th-century villa north of Milan a new lease on life. The architects term the project a “recovery,” and though it involved introducing a new roof and kitchen, they also poetically preserved battered walls and faded wallpaper. “Materials are maintained in the condition they were found,” they say, “with the idea of giving form to abstract ideas, such as the passing of time.”
Photography via Archiplan Studio.
Above: The gridwork on the doors and window wall is echoed by the new tiled kitchen island.
Above: The architects introduced a custom table that stretches for 21 feet, intending it to be used for preparing food, eating meals, and doing homework–”recovering and reinventing the traditional way of living in an Italian home.”
Above: An existing support is artfully incorporated into the design.
Above: A new take on suspension lighting: The custom chandelier makes use of porcelain sockets. See Object Lessons: The Hardware Store Porcelain Light Socket for sourcing ideas, and go to Lampada 00 to see the architects’ vertical version of the design.
Above: Plants keep the room from feeling chilly. Furnishings, many original to the house, include an antique sideboard and theater seats. Like the pastel fridge? See Trend Alert: 13 Kitchens with Colored Refrigerators.
Above: The living room has a terrazzo floor–one of our Fall Trend predictions–and updated fireplace. (Getting ready for winter? See Remodeling 101: Wood-Burning vs. Gas Fireplaces.) Many of the house’s windows, such as this one, were also updated.
Above: “This restoration project attempts to harmonize complete opposites, such as strength and fragility, the perfect and the imperfect, the brightness of a piece of furniture that has just arrived from the factory with the unpredictability of materials that have fallen into a state of disrepair,” Diego Cisi told Dezeen.
Above: In the bedrooms, the architects brushed the original wallpaper creating a fresco-like effect and sealed it to halt further deterioration.
Above L: Indoor shutters are employed throughout.
Above R: As in the kitchen, the architects hung modern industrial lighting in the bedrooms. (For something similar, see Colored Cage Lights from an Aussie Designer.) And to make up for a lack of closet space, they added freestanding clothes racks.
Above: Faded borders and patched ceilings are here to stay. (Parisian designer Philippe Daney makes similar pendant lights that are LEDs.)
Above: Vintage wallpaper and a new sink console with integrated storage in the master bath.
Above: Modern fixtures on a painted brick wall in another bath. “For us, the signs of aging are to be valued because they constitute a key element in the relationship between old and new,” Cisi explained to Dezeen. “They are like the wrinkles on the face of a woman; we should give value to them.”
Above: Wood flooring meets rain shower.
Above: The two-story villa is north of Milan, in the Lombardy town of Busto Arszio. Archiplan crowned the structure with a new white-tiled roof.
Above: Archiplan got all of the details right.
For more by the firm, take a look at A Moody Loft and Ristorante LaCucina, both in Mantua where Archiplan is based.
Go to our Italy archive, to see more villas and kitchens.
Frequently asked questions
What was the primary goal for remodeling House Errepi?
The primary goal was to maintain the original structure and character of the Italian villa while enhancing its functionality and modernizing its amenities to meet contemporary needs.
What were some of the challenges faced during the remodeling process?
The biggest challenge was working with the existing structure and layout while trying to incorporate modern elements like an open floor plan and larger windows. There were also restrictions in terms of preserving the historical integrity of the villa, which limited the extent of changes that could be made.
What was the role of Archiplan Studio in the remodeling process?
Archiplan Studio was the architecture firm responsible for the design and execution of the remodeling project. They worked closely with the clients and contractors to ensure that the vision for the villa was realized while meeting all of the functional and aesthetic requirements.
What are some of the notable features of the remodeled villa?
The remodeled villa features an open living space with a modern kitchen and dining area, as well as an updated master suite with a private balcony. The villa also has a new pool, outdoor kitchen and dining area, and landscaped gardens that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
What is the overall design aesthetic of the remodeled villa?
The remodeled villa has a modern minimalist aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the traditional Italian architecture. The use of light colors, natural materials, and clean lines creates a timeless and serene atmosphere throughout the space.
What was the timeline for the remodeling project?
The remodeling project took approximately two years to complete, with the majority of the work being done in the first year. There were several phases of construction, including demolition, foundation work, and finishing work, which were all carefully scheduled and executed to ensure a smooth process.
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