Houzz Tours
Italy Houzz Tour: A Small Colourful Flat Inspired by Le Corbusier
This architect used a palette from Le Corbusier's manifesto on colour to bring a sense of balance to a Milan apartment
Architect Betti Sperandeo transformed this apartment in central Milan, Italy, into a ‘pictorial project’ for her sister’s family. Her clever and measured use of colour has given a sense of life and harmony to the spaces. The beautiful chromatic balance that zones the apartment was inspired by Polychromie Architecturale – iconic modernist architect Le Corbusier’s 1931 manifesto on his theory of colour.
The result was an eclectic home where spaces flow into one another and complete each other in a dynamic but functional blend, in which colour acts as an architectural feature. Architect and clients were on the same page from the get-go: their shared vision has created this welcoming and comfortable home, where they now “love to get together in the evening” to, as Sperandeo tells us, let loose and relax.
The result was an eclectic home where spaces flow into one another and complete each other in a dynamic but functional blend, in which colour acts as an architectural feature. Architect and clients were on the same page from the get-go: their shared vision has created this welcoming and comfortable home, where they now “love to get together in the evening” to, as Sperandeo tells us, let loose and relax.
“It was a head-to-toe renovation, and there’s almost nothing left from before, since the original layout was very poorly done. As this is a family of three, the request was to have two bedrooms and two bathrooms – the old design had only one bathroom – well separated from each other, as well as a spacious living area,” says Sperandeo.
“To fulfil this latter request, I came up with the idea of creating a kitchen within a transparent geometric structure inside the living room. They enthusiastically and appreciatively accepted this idea.”
“To fulfil this latter request, I came up with the idea of creating a kitchen within a transparent geometric structure inside the living room. They enthusiastically and appreciatively accepted this idea.”
The green velvet sofa and the leather ottoman in the centre were crafted by an upholsterer based on the architect’s design.
“Colour has always been a crucial part of my projects. Since I am also a graphic designer, colour plays a fundamental role in whatever I design. I always start from the geometry and distribution of spaces, which is then completed and accentuated with colour. It’s through colour that I can create emotional suggestions,” says Sperandeo.
“My style is eclectic: I love mixing things and adding objects. It has to convey the idea of a warm and welcoming home while being practical and functional.”
Find an architect near you on Houzz to express your personality at home and meet your design needs
“Colour has always been a crucial part of my projects. Since I am also a graphic designer, colour plays a fundamental role in whatever I design. I always start from the geometry and distribution of spaces, which is then completed and accentuated with colour. It’s through colour that I can create emotional suggestions,” says Sperandeo.
“My style is eclectic: I love mixing things and adding objects. It has to convey the idea of a warm and welcoming home while being practical and functional.”
Find an architect near you on Houzz to express your personality at home and meet your design needs
The inspiration for the colours used in this home comes from the palettes and chromatic variations found in Le Corbusier’s Polychromie Architecturale. Sperandeo studied one of Le Corbusier’s palettes in particular, which centres around green, rust and dove grey.
Her sister and her husband gave her complete carte blanche.
Her sister and her husband gave her complete carte blanche.
The three colours that make up the palette alternate in a studied balance in the spaces, working well with the finishes and furnishings.
“The space itself determined the placement of the colours,” says the architect. “In the hall, for example, I chose a warm rust: I wanted a colour that would create a sort of envelope for this area that is a place of transit.”
“The space itself determined the placement of the colours,” says the architect. “In the hall, for example, I chose a warm rust: I wanted a colour that would create a sort of envelope for this area that is a place of transit.”
The floor is dark timber throughout, apart from in the kitchen and bathrooms. This is the only feature of the old design that Sperandeo kept. Sanded and treated with a water-based varnish, she chose to retain it because the floorboards produce an interesting contrast with the hues chosen for the new walls.
Browse more beautiful and inspired hallways
Browse more beautiful and inspired hallways
The choice to keep a large living room snuggled around a kitchen that’s partitioned but not hidden from view was motivated by the fact that the family, especially the couple’s son, love having friends over.
The trapezoidal kitchen structure has a servery window to the living room. The partition was custom-made by a local craftsperson from black-lacquered iron and glass. It can be completely closed if needed, but can also be easily opened up to the living room.
The benchtop overhangs on both the living room and kitchen sides. Outfitted with stools, it lets them make the most of the space and lends a sense of dynamism to the whole.
The benchtop overhangs on both the living room and kitchen sides. Outfitted with stools, it lets them make the most of the space and lends a sense of dynamism to the whole.
The kitchen floor was based on the architect’s sketches, using commercially-available tiles.
The architect also designed the kitchen cabinets. Made of black-lacquered wood with an oak top, they are another piece of the chromatic puzzle in the living room. Inside the structure, the floor features porcelain stoneware tiles in three colours. The pink, black and white tiles are reminiscent of the iconic designs of Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi.
“The kitchen floor was an opportunity for me to create something different but not dominant, which goes well with everything else. The many strong elements in the kitchen are perfectly balanced,” says Sperandeo.
The architect also designed the kitchen cabinets. Made of black-lacquered wood with an oak top, they are another piece of the chromatic puzzle in the living room. Inside the structure, the floor features porcelain stoneware tiles in three colours. The pink, black and white tiles are reminiscent of the iconic designs of Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi.
“The kitchen floor was an opportunity for me to create something different but not dominant, which goes well with everything else. The many strong elements in the kitchen are perfectly balanced,” says Sperandeo.
The table and chairs are vintage pieces from the 1960s that have been restored and painted black. The dining chairs were also reupholstered with a mustard-yellow fabric, and the table was given a new glass top with an aqua-green tint.
Although the apartment is on the ground floor, it is very quiet and bright thanks to the large windows – there are four in the living room alone – which open onto two internal courtyards.
Although the apartment is on the ground floor, it is very quiet and bright thanks to the large windows – there are four in the living room alone – which open onto two internal courtyards.
To create continuity of palette throughout the house, Sperandeo used the intense green of the kitchen wall units as the protagonist in the bedroom, on a wall that doubles as a headboard. Instead of a cupboard to store clothes, the room is outfitted with a double built-in wardrobe designed by the architect.
Next door is the spacious master bathroom.
The couple chose to install a spa bath and a large shower in the master bathroom.
Your turn
What do you love about this apartment? Tell us in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, save the images and join the conversation.
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Your turn
What do you love about this apartment? Tell us in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Missed our last Houzz Tour? Catch up on an Australian renovation here with this Houzz Tour: A Finely Tuned Apartment Above a Violin Shop
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: The architect’s sister, her husband and their 20-year-old son
Location: Milan, Italy
Year built: 1939
Years renovated: Between 2016 and 2017
Architect: Betti Sperandeo
Size: 100 square metres
Project duration: About three months