N-Type Penthouse by LAD

This work is part of larger project that concerns another penthouse with same dimensions and a different shape, called “A-Type Penthouse” that is going to be ready in 2018.

Architect: LAD
Location: Rome, Italy
Completed: 2017
Area: 155 sqm
Partner in charge: Francesco Napolitano
Team: Domenico Faraco, Lorenzo Pericoli
Contractor: GLEIM s.r.l
Photos © LAD

From the architect: From an architectural point of view this job concerned the remodeling of the entire top level: all spaces were revolved and settled in different position from the original layout. The client asked for a contemporary house, with minimal decoration and a fireplace. Thus, with this renovation project the fireplace was added  is in the center of a library and in the center of the house itself: it devides the the living area from private spaces.

The penthouse guests a large living room, a kitchen, laundry, and two units connected thorugh the living room: the first unit is made up of two bedrooms and two bathrooms, the second one guests a bedroom and a bathroom. There is also a fourth toilet for guests. “Hiding” is the project’s keyword: the more I hide, the less I see, the better it is: all internal doors are “Invisibile” type, with hidden profiles, all Zehnder radiators are hidden in the walls and covered.

All lights and cooling systems are hidden in the ceilings of the living/dining room, disguised as a load-bearing beam: this element enphatizes the path used for moving thru the house and connect kitchen and private spaces.

All windows are high-performance black Schueco profiles, with large spans to allow the contemplation of nature in the terraces. This job is a search for simplicity. Once Bruno Munari wrote: Complicating is easy, simplifying is difficult. To complicate you just add, all you want: colors, shapes, Actions, decorations, characters, environments full of things. All are able to complicate. Few are able to simplify. To simplify, you have to take off, and to do this you need to know What to take [...] Simplification is the sign of intelligence. An ancient Chinese saying says “What cannot be said in A few words cannot be said even in many. “

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