Mini living with a Persian twist
March 9, 2020
Situated at the centre of the Italian town of Albino in Valle Seriana, the micro-apartment of just 25 sqm has been designed by Francesca Perani for a local couple.
This project consists of the complete restoration of an open porch, once used as a storage area, contiguous to a private garden. Francesca Perani’s attitude towards design is ironic and playful, de-dramatising architecture with a forced use of poor but strongly characterised materials, bold colours and a deliberate use of diagonal lines. With the intent of extending seasonal uses and allowing new ones, the cabin was conceived to give a sense of quiet and intimacy at one with the surrounding nature, as well as to provide privacy from the high-density urban location.
A minimal and multifunctional lodge set at ground level, which summarises functionality and stylistic resourcefulness of a living space; a roof garden as an extra outdoor area. With this new intervention, the external shape has been kept unaltered, prioritising great openings and an “earth” façade colour; a second skin, a new stately and playful shading characterises the whole restoration.
A perforated metal grid folds freely in front of the south façade and defines a triangular exclusive garden: an openly declared reference to ancient Persian arches and sun shadings here adopted also as a functional response to the need for privacy. The limited dimensions and extreme narrowness of the existing building suggested a full custom designed interior, where flexibility and multi-usage became key factors.
The interior design is composed of two monochromatic areas in open contrast. Warm OSB (Oriented Strand Board) defines the living room as a unique texturized surface, with the joyous intrusion of recycled 1960s handles and printed marble gres used in the kitchen area.
Diagonal lines define the design of the kitchen top and suspended window frames assuring a dynamic corridor where the twin wooden alcoves facilitate a frontal conversation.
A dramatic blue glossy resin, reminiscent of Persian indigo, covers all of the bathroom faces, where bright white fitting and fixtures arise. The shower gains character from the existing wall and takes advantage of the private garden outdoor space set in front of the French door.
Low-cost materials, attention to thermal insulation, flexibility and privacy are the key elements of this project, where bold, contemporary architecture and Iranian culture blend creating a reassuring feeling of intimacy and warmth.
Photography by FrancescaPerani
www.francescaperani.com
SHARE THIS
Contribute
G&G _ Magazine is always looking for the creative talents of stylists, designers, photographers and writers from around the globe.
Find us on
Recent Posts
Between February 6 and March 8, Madrid Design Festival 2026 offered an intense program of exhibitions and events across the city. Throughout these days, it was possible to perceive the evolution of the festival, which expanded its program by integrating professional talks and meetings, revealing a strong desire among industry professionals to share the new Spanish approach to design with the world.
Inspired by Madrid’s long-lost Champs-Élysées, the HOFF designed by El Departamento, reinterprets the historic boulevard concept as a contemporary retail space where architecture, craftsmanship, and experience come together.
From 7 to 10 March 2026 , Hometex Shenzhen 2026 will welcome international professionals to Shenzhen for one of Asia’s most influential trade fairs dedicated to home textiles and soft furnishings.
UNUM Architecture, the visionary Portuguese design studio led by architect Miguel Ibraim da Rocha, has been named a Winner of the Best Luxury Commercial Architecture category by the prestigious Luxury Lifestyle Awards , for their exceptional work on the Metyis Technology Center in Gondomar, Portugal. This international recognition places UNUM among the global elite of architectural design firms, celebrated for their fusion of human-centered philosophy, refined aesthetics, and sustainable commercial architecture.
In a world where many hotels rely on polished aesthetics and predictable luxury, Piet Hein Eek offers a radically different vision. One of the most influential Dutch designers of the contemporary scene, Eek has built his reputation on redefining design through reuse, craftsmanship and imperfection. At the heart of this ecosystem lies the Hotel Piet Hein Eek - a project that embodies his philosophy and invites guests to experience design not as a static object, but as a living environment.
Between Industrial Roots and Contemporary Elegance: A Stay at Vienna House by Wyndham Mokotow Warsaw
In the ever-evolving Mokotów district, where glass office towers rise beside traces of the city’s industrial past, Vienna House by Wyndham Mokotow Warsaw stands as a refined interpretation of contrast. The hotel captures the spirit of a capital that has rebuilt and redefined itself, blending brutalist echoes and a cleaner, more contemporary integration that reflects the innovative pulse of modern Warsaw.
Subscribe
Keep up to date with the latest trends!
Popular Posts
Between February 6 and March 8, Madrid Design Festival 2026 offered an intense program of exhibitions and events across the city. Throughout these days, it was possible to perceive the evolution of the festival, which expanded its program by integrating professional talks and meetings, revealing a strong desire among industry professionals to share the new Spanish approach to design with the world.
From 5 February to mid-March 2026, across three emblematic locations in Madrid — Institución Libre de Enseñanza, Plaza de Colón and FORMA — LOEWE Perfumes presents Crafted Garden , an immersive installation conceived for Madrid Design Festival 2026 . The project unfolds as a sensory journey inspired by Renaissance gardens, bringing together nature, fragrance and contemporary craftsmanship in a multi-layered exploration of design and olfactory culture.
Situated in a prime location in the heart of the city, WestCord Eindhoven reveals its newly renovation that blends heritage, contemporary design, smart technology, and refined hospitality. The hotel’s refreshed identity marks a new chapter where history and innovation coexist, offering guests an elevated stay that feels both stylish and intuitively comfortable.
