Tiny Grandeaur
A former noble hall in Genoa’s historic center is reimagined as a flexible home for a couple passionate about books and art. The removal of partitions reveals a 4.7-meter height, with a double-height volume housing services and a mezzanine. Okumè wood structures define transitions and functions, integrating storage, seating, and kitchen. Preserved historic elements blend with contemporary additions, including a Lego-inspired bathroom corner, creating a layered space that balances memory, irony, and spatial fluidity.
This apartment in the historic center of Genoa tells a story of architectural layers. Originally part of a grand hall in a noble palace, the space has been redistributed, retaining three windows overlooking a historic square. The new owners, a couple involved in communication and photography, desired open, flexible spaces ideal for books, artworks, and social gatherings.
The project removed the attic and internal partitions, restoring a height of 4.7 meters. A double-height volume houses a pantry and bathroom, with a mezzanine that serves as a desk and guest area. The intersection between the two volumes creates a perspective corridor that guides the eye from the entrance towards the 3.8-meter-tall window framing the dome of San Giorgio Church.
The Okumè wood mezzanine marks the transition between the entrance and living area, where a full-height bookshelf also incorporates the kitchen. A sliding ladder provides access to upper shelves and window maintenance. A custom-made unit, both storage and stairway to the mezzanine, includes a sofa with views of the surrounding church domes.
The bathroom features a shower with dark blue Marazzi tiles and a glass pane allowing natural light. Original terrazzo floors and stucco decorations were preserved, with a modern corner element inspired by a Lego character, an ironic touch requested by the owners.
The design creates interconnected yet complex spaces, using levels and depths to gradually reveal the layout. Okumè wood, along with the owners’ passion for books and art, forms the unifying thread across free surfaces, making the space functional and personal.
