Given the homeowners’ request for an open-concept house with a fluid floor plan, Bloomberg first stripped the building down to its basics. Brick walls and a steel structure appeared; both became integral to the design. The architecture was not meant to be wholly decorative – that was the full responsibility of the bold furniture and art.
Bloomberg wanted to mix raw and refined materials in the home, and she did so with the custom-designed staircase. White steel treads and frosted glass panels are supported by a black steel structure, which sits across from what she calls the “central core” of the home. Storage space and an elevator are hidden inside.
Bloomberg describes the original house as having long, cramped hallways that looked “like a bowling alley.” So, she removed part of the second story and replaced it with a wall of glass to open up the space. The glass is U.V. and heat resistant, and an eight-foot industrial fan carries air throughout the home.
“The inside is, for the most part, concentrated on the local craftsmanship, because I believe it is very important,” Vanotti says. “It represents our history.” Artisan Vanotti Mauro built many parts of the building, including its most prominent feature: the larch wood accents. A custom fireplace warms the living room.
Reinforced concrete stands behind the stone facade to provide insulation. Vanotti wanted to focus this project on the simple materials of concrete, natural larch, iron, and wood.
Architect Alfredo Vanotti sourced the home's stone exterior from the woods behind the property. “I believe that mountain architecture is an emblematic example of sustainable architecture,” he says.
The ground floor is comprised of a living room, kitchen, and bathroom that are all detailed with larch wood. In the kitchen, a retro Bompani refrigerator and freezer blend in with the minimal aesthetic.
A pair of matching Idea lights by Vesoi over a dining room table and chairs, both locally-made.
As per the owner's request, the second floor’s open landing receives ample sunlight. The space is used as a study and the home's two bedrooms are situated to the right, their doors just outside the frame.
Views of the Orobie Alps can be seen from the home’s windows, which also feature larch frames. A lampadina light by Flos sits on the nightstand.
The positioning of the home’s roof allowed for a double-height, north-facing wall with four matching windows and an accompanying skylight. “The house refers to rural houses: a sloping roof, completely coated by stone and with no eaves,” Vanotti says.
In the master bath, a dowdy tub was replaced with a standing shower designed by Di Ioia and Bédard and manufactured by Linea P International. The wall and floor tiles are by Ceragres, and the sink, tub, and towel rack are by Aqua Mobilier de Bain.