In the heart of Rome‘s Trieste district, within the walls of an early 20th-century building, lies Casa Euforia, a penthouse reimagined by Italian practice Punto Zero. This project masterfully blends the building’s historical spirit with a vibrant, contemporary aesthetic, creating a harmonious dialogue between tradition and modernity.
Punto Zero‘s approach respected the apartment’s original layout, characterized by a central distributing corridor and rooms with exterior views. Rather than drastically altering the structure, the architects focused on expanding key living spaces and cultivating a rich material palette and bold color scheme. As the studio explains, “The large space and the wealth of original details in the house led us to introduce only a few significant elements, clearly readable, which capture the anti-minimalist pattern and punctuate the rhythm.”
The journey through Casa Euforia begins in the corridor, where sugar-paper gray wainscoting defines the path, leading to a small home office nook and culminating at a large French door that opens onto the terrace. This subtle yet effective use of color and architectural detail creates a sense of flow and anticipation.
The blue wainscoting then seamlessly transitions into the expansive living room, a space born from the merging of three original rooms. This transformation created a grand reception area, fulfilling the client’s desire for a space suitable for entertaining.
A defining feature of Casa Euforia is its meticulously crafted flooring. The original terrazzo tiles were carefully salvaged, repositioned, and laid in a carpet-like pattern, effectively delineating the lounge and dining areas. This intricate work on the floor presented a technical challenge, particularly in areas where the original terrazzo was missing. To address this, Punto Zero employed the ancient technique of “seeding,” creating mosaic borders and frames by manually scattering marble and mother-of-pearl fragments onto fresh mortar. This meticulous process resulted in unique, colorful inlays that define each space.
The use of wainscoting reappears in the bedroom, where it defines the walk-in closet, its structure cleverly acting as a partition with the adjacent bathroom area. This thoughtful design maximizes space and creates a sense of separation while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.
The bathrooms are true gems, showcasing custom-designed furnishings by Punto Zero. In the master bathroom, a delicate metal structure supports elegant Cipollino Verde marble countertops. The guest bathroom is equally impressive, featuring a bathtub and hidden drawer unit carved from a single block of onyx marble, complemented by a vanity unit integrated with a mirrored wall. These luxurious materials and bespoke designs elevate the bathrooms to spaces of refined indulgence.
Throughout Casa Euforia, designer objects carefully placed in various rooms and corners reflect the owners’ passion for design and enhance the rich, historical atmosphere. These curated pieces add a personal touch and contribute to the overall feeling of sophisticated comfort.
Casa Euforia is more than just a renovation; it is a celebration of the building’s history interwoven with a bold, contemporary vision. Punto Zero has successfully created a space that is both historically resonant and strikingly modern, a true testament to the power of thoughtful design.