Architect Francesca Perani designed a micro apartment for an Italian and Persian couple in the town of Albino in the Seriana Valley in Bergamo, Italy. The minimalist home sits on an open porch extending from a 1968 villa originally designed by architect Armen Manoukian and renovated by Perani.
The original exterior has been retained while a new second skin has been added to provide shade and privacy from the front of the house whilst creating a triangular garden. The screen was perforated metal arranged in a folded pattern, adding visual interest to the south facade.
Inside, Perani used affordable materials like Warm OSB (non-toxic oriented beachboard), a rich blue color reminiscent of Persian indigo, and diagonal lines to offer a dramatic yet playful aesthetic. The textured grain of the OSB provides a unique backdrop to the space, allowing the glossy blue resin accents to pop.
Due to the elongated shape of the space, the custom interior had to be flexible to serve different functions as needed. The window ledges serve as additional seating, while the deep built-in bench on the opposite side serves as a platform for twin mattresses for sleeping at night. The top of the bench rises and offers ample storage space. The bathroom is blue on every surface, creating dynamic lines of sight as you stand at the opposite end of the apartment.