In Rome, the duo La Macchina Studio transforms a 1950s apartment into a pop and ironic, graphic and colorful set. The spotlight is on the inhabitants, protagonists of theatrical scene – material and architectural – unexpected, at times surreal

A theatrical scene, a surreal set: Retroscena is a manifesto house with a graphic sign and bright colors that turn the spotlight on those who live there.

In alignment with the wishes of the clients  – a young couple – the architects Gianni Puri e Enrica Siracusa, founders of La Macchina Studio, have upset the internal distribution of a 1950s apartment in the Appio Latino district of Rome to give way to a new storytelling. On the one hand with the help of local craftsmen, recovered the pre-existing Venetian terrazzo flooring, while on the other they have completely disrupted the internal distribution. So a material mix draws the design concept of the new house: pop, playful, unexpected.

 

Kicking off with the insertion of new materials in correspondence with the traces of the original divisions, the living area is defined by a clear band in black and Botticino marble. The area along the corridor takes up the original design of the flooring with a pinkish binder with pozzolan powder, while the bedroom is tinged with the warm nuances of brick red microcement. The result is a combination of designs in different grains and colours that creates a collage effect, in contrast with the absolute white of the plastered walls.

 

“With Retroscena, we wanted to enhance the irreverent and surreal nature of the architectural story, which is inextricably linked to its photographic alter-ego by playing with colour contrasts, graphic motifs and unexpected incursions” tells Gianni Puri ed Enrica Siracusa.

The apartment reveals itself longitudinally along the main wall, which represents the limit between private and representative space and creates a landscape’ punctuated by three different elements.

A white lacquered bridge wardrobe hides a small study: the reader's refuge, an intimate, silent space, isolated from the rest of the home. A grey-blue flush-to-the-wall door that seems drawn on, gives access to the salle de bain covered in white mosaic with contrasting joints, cut by an ogival passage which gives a glimpse the back wall in peacock-colored enamel and the free washbasin standing.

An arched door in classic blue lacquered wood leads to the sleeping area with clear lines and a welcoming atmosphere. The door, with its wooden profile that juts out 70 cm towards the dining room, is the centerpiece of the living area and hides the kitchen furniture from view.

The living room is the largest space in the house: a yellow curtain runs along the demolished partition, outlining the areas and drawing a soft border between the different functions.

 

Retroscena project offers a playful and fantastic vision of the house. Bold color choices and savvy design tricks give personality to the interiors, turning the spotlight on the inhabitants, protagonists of a theatrical – material and architectural – piéce full of surprises.