In the heart of Arona’s historic center stands a courtyard house dating back to the 1700s. Within it, tucked into a corner, lies a small apartment that until 2020 belonged to Vittorio, a painter who used it as his private studio. Without even an internal bathroom—instead situated on the balcony of the courtyard house—this space was purely a creative workshop. An expression of a passion for art and craftsmanship, that over the decades, it became a treasure trove of paintings, sketches, books, and publications. In 2020, our clients decided to purchase and renovate the space, turning to us to transform it into a cozy and functional apartment, with all the modern comforts and favoring the best aesthetic and technological choices. Our intervention, however, did not distort the soul of the place: because the apartment is part of a group of buildings protected by the Municipality of Arona, all interventions were carried out under specific guidelines for permitted interventions, honoring the original features of the building and enhancing its past.
Lo studio di Vittorio
Everything is illuminated
in the light of the past.
It is always along
the side of us...
on the inside,
looking out
Jonathan Safran Foer
in the light of the past.
It is always along
the side of us...
on the inside,
looking out
Jonathan Safran Foer
Renovation of a 65 sqm Apartment in a Protected Courtyard House in the Historic Center of Arona. creation of a living space with a kitchen, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, new installation of all systems, survey and faithful reproduction of the property's existing historical and aesthetic features; application of trowelled lime plaster; and custom furnishings.
Lo studio di Vittorio
Architecture of Intimacy
2020
Arona (NO)
Renovation, complete systems overhaul, and energy efficiency upgrade
Cavity wall insulation with blown-in system
Thus, in Vittorio’s House one continues to breathe love for beauty, a deep awareness and respect for its past, and utmost care for materials, space, and people. It is a tribute to those who lived there, to those who worked there to maintain its essence, and those who will live it in the future.
Re-inhabiting history
The renovation transformed three rooms with undefined functional uses - without plumbing, kitchen, or bathroom - into a fully functional, contemporary apartment divided into a living area with kitchen, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. The organization revolves around a central service core that functions both as a spatial divider and a technical infrastructure hub.
We installed a raised floor system, reinforced with steel beams and girders, to integrate the new electrical and plumbing systems without affecting the historic stone walls. This created a technical cavity that houses all utilities along with glass wool insulation, ensuring thermal and acoustic insulation, as well as fire safety.
To maximize living comfort, we opted for a heat pump heating and cooling system with air diffusion through discreet vents: cool air in the summer and warmth in the winter
Due to space limitations and respect for the aesthetics of the historic building, installing an external unit was not possible. We therefore chose a fully integrated, invisible water-to-water heat pump system, capable of managing heating, cooling, and domestic hot water.
The system was housed in a custom-built technical room between the new service block and the private access staircase, concealed behind a custom bespoke sliding wooden panel. A discrete shell, coherent with its historical context, which houses high-performance technology, perfectly integrated into contemporary life.
The Importance of Artisan Expertise
One of the elements with the greatest charm was the ceiling, which was covered with traditional plastered cane mats. The hypothesis that they might conceal original wooden coffered ceilings, typical of the era, sparked the curiosity of our team and the clients.
Despite the necessary caution required in any work on historic buildings, we decided to investigate further, carefully initiating the removal process.
The contribution of the skilled and meticulous artisans was fundamental, allowing the work to be managed with precision and respect for the original structure.
The original wooden window frames, which were deeply deteriorated, have been replaced with handcrafted reproductions faithful to the original aesthetic and period finishes, while enhancing thermal and acoustic insulation. The interior shutters, carefully restored, maintain the original color palette, which was meticulously reconstructed through enamel sampling.
To enrich the spaces, we custom-built chests and wooden counter-sills with a painted finish. These elements combine functionality and elegance by incorporating hidden storage compartments. The choice of door handles was also the result of careful, collaborative research, leaving nothing to chance.
The irregular, time-worn plaster was redone with burnished lime plaster, giving the walls a uniform surface that is nonetheless vibrant with materiality. In this way, the environment regains warmth and harmony, in perfect synergy with its historic character.
A Virtuous Circle of Care and Attention
We at Archingreen, along with the clients and highly qualified artisans, worked on Vittorio's study with full respect for the artistic soul of this place. From the carpenters to the decorators, from the systems engineers to the construction company, every intervention was executed with a care and precision that transcend simple manual labor.
The close collaboration with the clients, who remained present and involved even through the difficulties of the pandemic, created a climate of trust and attention, which was essential for tackling the challenges of a historic building. From the necessity of temporarily opening a breach in the façade to allow the passage of iron beams, to the delicate reconstruction of the inner façades following the installation of the drainage pipes, every phase required mastery and rigorous respect for the context.
The construction company and the decorators delivered perfectly integrated surfaces, making even the most complex interventions invisible. Casa di Vittorio has not merely been renovated, but meticulously cared for in every detail, in a virtuous circle of mutual attention that today makes it a small jewel of balance between history, craftsmanship, and contemporary life.
Explore other projects
Cascina Bosco Fornasara
Renovation of a section of Cascina Bosco, a building dating back to the early 19th century.
La casa sull'Albero
Renovation of a detached 1970s home in Arona
Villa RP
Renovation with energy efficiency upgrade of a panoramic villa in Arona
SopraTutto la paglia
Renovation and Energy Requalification with Extension.