Before and After: Genius Sliding Solutions in 323 Square Feet
A special staircase parapet and an innovative space-saving bed turn an old attic into a cozy mini apartment in Rome
Trastevere is one of the most famous historical districts in Rome, and housing is in high demand. Many artists have lived here, including spaghetti Western director Sergio Leone. Here, a Luxembourg-based Italian family of four owns a small 323-square-foot attic that until a short time ago offered only a dark and cramped living space.
Architect Antonio Aurigemma renovated it and turned it into a comfy and cozy pied-à-terre thanks to clever, space-saving solutions such as a specially designed staircase parapet and an innovative disappearing bed.
Architect Antonio Aurigemma renovated it and turned it into a comfy and cozy pied-à-terre thanks to clever, space-saving solutions such as a specially designed staircase parapet and an innovative disappearing bed.
BEFORE: The apartment could be accessed by a staircase located just in front of the entryway.
The entrance remained in its original place, but the staircase and the whole home have been renovated.
The entrance remained in its original place, but the staircase and the whole home have been renovated.
BEFORE: The original staircase was sectioned off from the apartment by a parapet that made the space narrow and oppressive.
BEFORE: “I got rid of the parapet because it not only reduced the amount of space, but also made the home look dark,” the architect says.
AFTER: The staircase is a crucial element because it’s in the center of the attic. To open up the area, the architect designed a new parapet out of a metal sheet. “When you don’t need it, you can lay it down as if it were part of the floor, thanks to a pivot,” Aurigemma says. “This makes the space more fluid.”
In this picture, the parapet has been spun around the pivot and lowered.
This sketch shows the final look of the staircase.
The ceiling in the highest point in the attic is about 9 feet high, while the sides are about 6½ and 6 feet high.
The area where the ceiling is low has been used to hide a disappearing bed.
The area where the ceiling is low has been used to hide a disappearing bed.
A wood panel, fixed with little chains, hides the custom-made bed structure. The design allows for a comfortable pullout queen-size bed.
The bench, which is a comfy seat when the bed is stowed, serves as a support for the bed.
In front of the bed is an extendable console table that is about 18 by 35 inches and can reach a length of about 9 feet.
To take maximum advantage of the available space, the wall unit behind the console was custom-made. The last compartment was installed to hide the washing machine.
BEFORE: Originally, the apartment wasn’t designed to be an open space, and the kitchen was a separate room. The home looked much smaller and darker. In this picture, you can see the original dark beams.
BEFORE: This is what the kitchen looked like before the renovation began.
AFTER: Next to the wall unit stands the kitchen counter and cabinetry — a single element more than 6½ feet long.
The counter is made of wood. The owner wanted the kitchen unit to stand out among the other pieces of furniture in the apartment, hence the choice of black as the color.
The transparent stools turn into bedside tables when it’s time to sleep.
The owner chose an unusual table. The extra support is part of the table structure and can be easily folded away when not needed.
Transparent stools: Stone Stool, Kartell; kitchen cabinet and counter unit: Valcucine
The counter is made of wood. The owner wanted the kitchen unit to stand out among the other pieces of furniture in the apartment, hence the choice of black as the color.
The transparent stools turn into bedside tables when it’s time to sleep.
The owner chose an unusual table. The extra support is part of the table structure and can be easily folded away when not needed.
Transparent stools: Stone Stool, Kartell; kitchen cabinet and counter unit: Valcucine
To the right of the dining area is a custom closet.
The flooring is prefinished brash oak (about three-fifths of an inch thick, 7 inches wide and 71 to 83 inches long).
The flooring is prefinished brash oak (about three-fifths of an inch thick, 7 inches wide and 71 to 83 inches long).
A sofa bed is located across the room from the dining area.
On the right you can see the bathroom door. “I got it custom made since the height of only [about 6 feet] is not quite standard,” Aurigemma says.
Ceiling beams have been repainted white, while new PVC windows replaced the original ones to let in more light.
Three 6½-foot-long LED strips installed in the ceiling illuminate the apartment: The first is placed over the kitchen, the second over the dining area and the third over the living room.
Sofa bed: Ikea
On the right you can see the bathroom door. “I got it custom made since the height of only [about 6 feet] is not quite standard,” Aurigemma says.
Ceiling beams have been repainted white, while new PVC windows replaced the original ones to let in more light.
Three 6½-foot-long LED strips installed in the ceiling illuminate the apartment: The first is placed over the kitchen, the second over the dining area and the third over the living room.
Sofa bed: Ikea
BEFORE: This is what the original bathroom looked like.
AFTER: The bathroom today houses a 47-by-31-inch shower, extending across the entire wall. A 20-inch toilet and sink make optimal use of the space. The whole room is about 47 inches by 87 inches.
On the little wall behind the sink you can see a practical shelf. “This wall has been created because it was necessary to use a tiled element by which I ‘enlarged’ the wall to install the hydraulic system. The process produced this handy shelf,” Aurigemma says.
In this home, even an unavoidable construction detail turns into an indispensable design feature.
Toilet: Catalano; sink: Ikea
More
A Transforming Storage Wall Maximizes 225 Square Feet
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On the little wall behind the sink you can see a practical shelf. “This wall has been created because it was necessary to use a tiled element by which I ‘enlarged’ the wall to install the hydraulic system. The process produced this handy shelf,” Aurigemma says.
In this home, even an unavoidable construction detail turns into an indispensable design feature.
Toilet: Catalano; sink: Ikea
More
A Transforming Storage Wall Maximizes 225 Square Feet
Read more stories about designing small spaces
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: An Italian family of four living in Luxembourg, who occasionally come to Italy to visit relatives and friends
Location: A building in the heart of the Trastevere district in Rome
Size: 323 square feet (30 square meters)
Architect: Antonio Aurigemma
Renovation costs: About $55,000, about $4,400 of which covered the cost of the bed structure, including the wall unit. The staircase cost about $4,200, including assembly.
That’s interesting: Custom solutions and disappearing furniture used every inch of the apartment without taking away flexibility or comfort.