Volumes and transparency in the new Modulnova project
Mar 4, 2021
Once again, the Modulnova kitchen is located right in the centre of the living room and becomes the focal point of the architectural design. The house in the photo was built in the 1980s in the Italian region of Piedmont and was originally designed for two families. Time has changed, however, and the new owner has firmly rejected the classic layout, which organises life in separate rooms: the living room, hallway, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. The rethinking of the space began with the demolition of interior partitions, which expanded the interior by more than 200 square metres.
One of the most difficult challenges for the architects was the height difference in the mansion, forcing the floors to be staggered together. However, Andrea Mamino and the Martina Design studio found an aesthetic solution. As a result, the transition to the sleeping area actually becomes an integrated scene, with which the volumes of the living room and kitchen are connected and interact. Window doors provide a view of the garden and abundant natural light floods the interior space.
The owner, Maurizio, wanted a cosy environment to spend time together with close friends and relatives. The client's main request was to place the kitchen at the centre of the daylight hours and make it the heart of everyday life. The client also opted for a parquet floor and an interior in dark and resolute colours. The architects accommodated all wishes, playing with the contrast between the white walls and drapery and the dark tones of the ceiling, the central kitchen island, columns, metal slabs and tinted glass panels. At the same time, the ceiling lighting became a picturesque interior element.
The model chosen for the kitchen is Twenty from the Italian factory Modulnova. This is a collection with a strong character, skillfully combining rigorous volumes and innovative materials. An ergonomic, functional and well-defined space is created by using porcelain stoneware to cover all work areas in the kitchen, making it extremely practical and sturdy. The sophistication of the design is underlined by metal shelves which are only 3 mm thick.
LED lights are integrated in the boiserie to illuminate the worktop. A niche with integrated lighting between the tall units 'breaks up' the storage area and at the same time artfully illuminates its surroundings.
An important stylistic and functional element of the living room is the smoked glass panels from the Italian factory RIMADESIO. They created a visual filter between the kitchen island and the area opposite, where there are two service rooms and a bathroom. The doors of the adjoining rooms also look unusual: the architects chose bronze-coloured metal panels with a scuffed effect. This has given the chromaticism a warm note, but also a technical, industrial feel.
In the day area, a corner sofa, a TV niche, a sideboard with a spectacular floral decoration and a fireplace, which hangs from the ceiling and literally floats in the air, are situated.
New Studio is the official representative of the Italian factories Modulnova and Rimadesio in Belarus.