Renovation of a penthouse in a historic building
Bologna, Italy

Bologna, Strada Maggiore, just a few steps from the Due Torri. It is from here that the penthouse of a prestigious historic building overlooks the hills and rooftops of the city. The apartment of more than 120 square meters, on the fifth and sixth floors of the historic building, was renovated and expanded by MIRO architects to accommodate a young family of four.
The exterior is the real star of the interior: an extraordinary terrace runs along the facade main building and creates in the corner a large en plein air living room in visual communication with the living area. The panorama becomes an everyday setting with the honey yellow of the houses, the Bologna’s red and the green of the trees, among which sprout the towers of San Michele in Bosco, the Asinelli and the Garisenda.
We chose to work by subtraction in the design, to free the space and the gaze, and to make the the landscape emerge. In the living room, we designed a single containing element that encloses usually independent and uneven environments such as the fireplace, TV corner, the storage room and the bookcase. The same principle of synthesis guided the lighting design: very thin tracks “carve” the ceiling, limiting the decoration to a single light sculpture. The kitchen was also lightened: two tables accessorized with burners, integrated sink and drawers suspended, have replaced the bulkier traditional cabinets.

In this ‘extroverted’ penthouse, the city becomes home and shapes a private spectacle to be contemplate every day.

Credits

Project: MIRO architetti, arch. Giacomo Minelli

Continuous Surfaces and Parquetry: Kerakoll Design Lab
Kerakoll Agent: Oscar Caloi
Supplier and Installer: Centrogamma Ferrara- Mirko Aldrovandi
Building company: S.I.M.E.O srl
Kitchen: Molteni&Co , Lolli Arredamenti
Custom made forniture: Paolo Russo Design
Plumbing: Tematic srl
Lighting: Viabizzuno, Epoilaluce