Project: Palermo House Renovation
Architecture: Studio Didea
Location: Palermo, Italy
Area: 220 m2
Year: 2018
Photo Credits: Studio Didea
The Palermo House Renovation by Studio Didea transforms an early 20th century apartment in the heart of Palermo into a contemporary home while carefully preserving its historical charm. Defined by pass-through rooms and frescoed pavilion vaulted ceilings, the project strikes a delicate balance between heritage and modern living.
Minimalist Renovation
The clients requested a space that would reflect a modern lifestyle while retaining the cultural and architectural value of the original building. In addition, the home needed to accommodate an extensive collection of antique and modern books, along with a cherished 20th century family grand piano. Studio Didea responded with a minimalist renovation that prioritizes both functionality and elegance.
Concept
From the outset, one of the main design goals was to maximize natural light. To achieve this, Studio Didea strategically opened up the load-bearing masonry, both transversally and longitudinally. As a result, the existing central passageway was enlarged to connect the three main rooms overlooking the street—the study, living room, and music room. A continuous, ribbon-like bookcase now flows seamlessly along these walls, unifying the spaces into a fluid, light-filled environment.
Materials
Natural oak furnishings bring warmth to the interiors, while grey epoxy resin floors provide a contemporary counterpoint. Together, these elements create a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, anchoring the renovation in timeless simplicity.
Details
The walls were painted in light tones to enhance luminosity, while the restored frescoes on the vaulted ceilings are subtly emphasized by diffuse lighting. In the living room, the original marble floor was carefully preserved and set into the new resin flooring, becoming a striking focal point within the broader palette of refined materials.
The Palermo House Renovation by Studio Didea ultimately reimagines a historic property for contemporary life. It demonstrates how thoughtful interventions can breathe new vitality into heritage buildings, creating spaces that are both modern and deeply rooted in history.
