Nestled within the ancient walls of Bergamo‘s Città Alta, a historic private residence has been revitalized, breathing new life into its storied past. The D128 project, masterfully executed by Officina Magisafi, the architecture and design studio based in Val Seriana, is a demonstration to the studio’s profound respect for both architectural heritage and contemporary design.
Founded in 2012 by Claudio Acquaviva and Debora Bordogni, Officina Magisafi has cultivated a distinctive approach, characterized by a deep connection to the local territory and a meticulous attention to architectural and technical details. This philosophy, coupled with close collaboration with local artisans, has resulted in a seamless blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques, a hallmark of the D128 project.
The building housing D128, with its origins tracing back to the 14th century, has undergone numerous renovations over the centuries. However, the original majestic stone arches, which define the iconic façade and shelter the expansive terrace overlooking the city and surrounding hills, have remained untouched. “It’s always a pleasure to explain to those unfamiliar with Città Alta how it possesses its own unique rhythm, where time flows in a serene atmosphere, detached from the rest of the city,” Acquaviva and Bordogni explain. “The client’s desire was to mirror this tranquility and lightness within spacious, warm, and inviting interiors. We started from this concept, from the breathtaking views from the terrace, and from the aspiration to restore the residence’s original prestige in a contemporary context.”
Officina Magisafi’s design was driven by a desire to unveil and enhance the residence’s numerous historical features, liberating and opening up spaces that had been obscured by previous renovations. The project began with a thorough analysis of the floor plan. “The layout, a result of a 1970s remodeling, exhibited a dual personality: on one side, noble spaces overlooking the city, and on the other, introverted rooms facing the courtyard. Divided by a corridor, it almost felt like traversing two separate properties,” the architects recall.
Officina Magisafi conceived a new spatial concept, transforming the corridor from a dividing element into a unifying one. Like a line connecting two points, the redesigned corridor now guides the eye towards the panoramic views, infusing the spaces with a renewed sense of openness. “From the initial site visits, we aimed to liberate the spaces to restore the prominence of the historical elements. For instance, by overlaying previous floor plans, we discovered an original vault, concealed by walls and false ceilings. The interior design, along with the careful selection of materials, was intended to create a balanced dialogue with the existing features, such as the frescoed ceiling in the expansive living room,” the studio’s co-founders share.
This pursuit of balance and openness guided the selection of bespoke structures and furnishings. Each room in D128 is characterized by a distinct material palette, chosen to complement and enhance the existing elements within each space. This creates a seamless dialogue, maintaining the concept of a “line connecting two points,” while harmonizing the pursuit of innovative techniques with traditional craftsmanship, reinterpreting classic aesthetics in a contemporary light.
The material selection ranges from honed Apennine marble in the master bathroom to Tundra grey marble in the kitchen and Rolec grey flooring. The choice of marbles, encompassing over six different varieties, is juxtaposed with bespoke thermo-treated oak parquet, meticulously designed by Officina Magisafi to create a harmonious flow. Walking through the rooms, one senses a subtle interplay between the vaulted ceilings and the intricate parquet patterns, as if the floors were reflecting the ceilings above.
The furnishings, glossy lacquers, and iron and glass partitions allow light to permeate while maintaining privacy. “To reflect the atmosphere of lightness within the spaces, we focused on integrating each room and creating fluid transitions, with imperceptible passages, through the use of materials and the integration of furnishings. The gym, for example, is concealed behind a system of concealed doors and cabinets. The opening of a pivoting partition reveals an unexpected space, yet seamlessly connected to the rest of the house, bathed in uninterrupted light,” the studio explain.
In the expansive living room, the studio achieved a balance between past and present by juxtaposing the frescoed ceiling with iconic design pieces, such as the marble table designed by Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper in the 1970s and re-edited by Agape, the Seconda chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, the Cassina sofa, and the Traffic armchair by Konstantin Grcic for Magis. The living room seamlessly transitions into the bespoke kitchen, concealed behind panel doors that conceal the technical elements.
The interior design extends to the expansive terrace, enclosed by stone vaults that frame the views of the lower city. The use of stone, a traditional material, unifies the interior and exterior spaces. The delicate greenery surrounding the terrace serves as a focal point, visible from every room in the house.
“The D128 renovation was a unique project, a true collaboration with the house itself. The atmosphere of Città Alta, the history permeating every space, the discovery of precious elements, and the use of traditional materials all contributed to a project that exemplifies the pursuit of innovative approaches and underscores the value of interior architecture in harmonizing a building’s past with the future of its inhabitants,” Acquaviva and Bordogni conclude.