Casa B.V.: A Warm, Welcoming Retreat in the Heart of Bologna

Casa B.V. grew out of the architect’s desire to transform a small apartment into an intimate, lively, and functional refuge. And at first sight, CI MA’s design vision is clear. Beginning with a trapezoidal plan and an L-shaped terrace, the architect radically rethought the Bologna residence with the aim of creating a new bedroom for Dalia, his daughter.

Rigor and experimentation in design

The project carefully balances experimentation and cohesion, playfulness and rigor. While there were bold decisions made, they were also carefully considered. Removing partition walls, for example, created a large open-plan living area, while stripping finishes back to the concrete structure gave the space character and material presence. To create the extra bedroom, the shower was removed from the bathroom and the kitchen was moved to near the entrance. The careful use of white tones and wood amplified the sense of space, creating alternating solids and voids, shadow and light.

Oak and birch parquet was not used as mere background but as a distinguishing element for each room to create bespoke geometries that narrate each space’s identity. From the kitchen to the living room, main bedroom, and Dalia’s room, a light birch with a homey feel is the primary material used for the custom cabinetry, creating a visual and tactile connecting thread through the home. Only the bathroom uses a different material, with its light-gray porcelain stoneware tiles contrasting with the dark shower enclosure.

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Casa B.V.: A life story told through interior design

The architect’s choice of red to accent “warm” elements, such as radiators, faucets, and light fixtures, is playful yet carefully measured. Its dialogue with touches of pale blue enhances an otherwise neutral color palette, creating subtle contrasts and unexpected harmonies.

Special attention was also given to the corridor. While often an interstitial space, in this project it takes on a central role with its minimalist elegance and material coherence.

Casa B.V. is the result of a personal, finely crafted process in which the interior architecture has been transformed into a narrative of the architect’s life. It is a tailored project that rejects standardization to embrace an authentic vision of well-being, contemporaneity, and beauty in everyday life.

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