Nestled in the historic heart of Genoa, Italy, a small apartment emerges from the creative minds of the young architects at llabb. This unique living space is ingeniously carved out of a section of the grand hall of an ancient palace, showcasing a remarkable blend of modern design within a rich historical context. The compact layout maximizes every inch, catering to the vibrant lives of its youthful owners.
The apartment features a stunning double-height living area, bathed in natural light from three exuberant windows. These windows frame breathtaking views of the nearby domes of San Giorgio and San Torpete, creating a picturesque backdrop that enhances the living experience. Custom-designed furniture pieces are strategically placed throughout the space, serving multiple purposes while elegantly defining the various areas of the home.
Situated amidst the dense urban fabric of Genoa, this residence is surrounded by grand family palaces that once boasted expansive halls and soaring ceilings, illuminated by large windows. The palace that houses this innovative apartment, designed by the talented architecture studio led by Federico Robbiano and Luca Scardulla, overlooks the charming Piazza di San Giorgio, further enriching the apartment’s historical allure.
The original hall was transformed into two distinct apartments, with the focus of this renovation covering two-thirds of the original area. Prior to the renovation, the layout featured three rooms with windows and a windowless bathroom, all under a ceiling height of 3.3 meters. A staircase provided access to an attic space that was only 1.3 meters high. The architects’ first major step was to clear the area almost entirely, removing the attic and internal walls, which allowed for an impressive internal height of 4.7 meters. This alteration also restored the connection between a double row of three windows, one of which had been sealed off, offering a view of the historic market square.
This pivotal moment, as the architects describe it, marks the intersection of the building’s history with that of its new owners—a dynamic couple comprising a communication expert and digital strategist, alongside a curator of photography festivals. Their lifestyle necessitates ample room for storing books, catalogs, and artworks, as well as a welcoming space for entertaining friends and working from home.
In response to the existing structure and the couple’s requirements, llabb decided to retain a portion of the attic and some partitions in the entry area, which faces the square. This area now houses the bedroom, pantry, and bathroom, all topped with a mezzanine crafted from okoumé plywood, varying in height. The entry corridor links these spaces, creating a compact area that opens up into a spacious living area. This design leads the visitor’s gaze through the dining area toward a striking window—nearly four meters tall—that beautifully frames the dome of the Church of San Giorgio.
At the end of the corridor lies a spacious and luminous living area, where the kitchen seamlessly merges with a generous dining space and a versatile living room that doubles as a workspace. Three expansive windows grace the southeast and southwest walls, flooding the area with natural light. In a striking contrast to this brightness, a wall library has been thoughtfully designed, featuring floor-to-ceiling uprights that rhythmically segment the wall, with the kitchen nestled in its lower section. An aluminum track ladder provides easy access to the upper shelves while also aiding in the maintenance of the high windows.
Upon entering the living area, one is greeted by a custom-made, multifaceted piece of furniture that defines the space. This innovative design serves as a staircase leading to the mezzanine, incorporating storage solutions for the bedroom, an opaline glass screen that enhances the light in the bedroom behind it, and a sofa that extends from the first step of the stairs. A sleek white tubular structure guides the ascent to the mezzanine, where a desk overlooks the vibrant living area below, and a raised nook above the pantry accommodates a cozy futon for guests.
The loft area follows a winding path, culminating in a small, protruding curved form that echoes the design elements of the space below. This curvature not only lightens the projecting section of the structure but also softens the edges of the lower volume, creating an intriguing asymmetry along the corridor walls. The curve of the lower section elegantly outlines the shower space in the bathroom, which is separated by a vertical glass panel adorned with slate mullions, allowing natural light to filter into the otherwise compact area. The interplay of light dances across the small dark blue tiles, giving them a vibrant quality, while similar tiles in a different hue adorn the rest of the bathroom, creating a cohesive aesthetic.
In the bathroom, the original terrazzo flooring remains intact, echoing the architectural legacy of the Liguria region, just as it does throughout the apartment. The ceiling’s decorative stuccoes, dating back to the early 20th century, have been preserved to honor the space’s history. However, a missing corner stucco prompted a creative solution: a contemporary reinterpretation achieved through modeling and 3D printing. Adding a whimsical touch, the central motif showcases a Lego figure, which architects Luca Scardulla and Federico Robbiano describe as a playful Easter egg, embodying the lighthearted essence of the studio and its clients.