F2F House

F2F House
  • Year
    2023
  • Location
    Palermo, Sicilia [Italy]
  • Designer
    Arch. Denny Bruno, Simona Valguarnera
  • Client
    Private

Project Description

The appartement, located in a 1970s building in Palermo, has been totally reconfigured and adapted to contemporary living requirements. From the client's desire to live in a cosy, relaxing home came the idea of creating an open environment in which one could feel an integral part of the space itself, a place for sharing and seamless flows. 

The long hallway has been resized to make the flat ventilated and sunny, allowing natural light to enter from dawn to dusk thanks to the double exposure in the open-plan living area, where the kitchen is no longer just an accessory object serving the home but becomes the protagonist of the space. The sleeping area is accessed through the new hallway in a wraparound Hajizome 櫨染 oak (Japanese oak) colour, an intense yellow with a warm reddish hue similar to turmeric which, applied to the walls, doors and ceiling, boxes and characterises the serving space. 

For the design of the custom-made furniture, the choice shifts to natural materials and finishes such as cream stone and oak, which is intended to be the protagonist right from the orderly distribution of the parquet planks; the latter is flanked by a large sand-coloured flooring. The variety of elements reminiscent of nature and colours with warm undertones are framed by dramatic spotlights and contrasted by matt black metal details. 

“The door is opening, access, union, but also closure, privacy and separation. Its ambivalence, both physical and conceptual, makes the door a necessary element in defining spaces and playing with their relationships.” 

Interview

Who is the designer? 

Architect Denny Bruno and designer Simona Valguarnera are partners in work and in life. Our aim is to propose unique and innovative design solutions, living spaces and environments that meet the needs and tastes of the clients; specific solutions for every situation, where attention to detail is crucial at every stage of the process, from the conception of the initial idea to the realisation of the project. 

What is the most important focus when starting a new project? 

The basis of our projects is the focus on the client and his needs, and the analysis of the existing space. It is the environment itself that suggests what it wants to become, we simply try to define its character, with a view to pragmatism and technological innovation aimed at sustainability and improved quality of life. 

In your opinion, what role can a door play within a project? 

From its etymological meaning of port, of passage from something to something else, the door is opening, access, union, but also closure, privacy and separation. Its ambivalence, both physical and conceptual, makes the door a necessary element in defining spaces and playing with their relationships. 

What made you choose Ermetika products? 

In contemporary times there is a tendency to remove rather than add, and Ermetika's products, with their linearity and cleanliness, succeed in meeting this need. The frills are removed (or never inserted), leaving the essence of the door, an opening in a wall which, if closed, does not disturb the space but integrates with it and disappears; if open, it only shows its emptiness. 

Other aspects that determined the choice of Ermetika doors were undoubtedly their versatility, freedom of customisation and ease of assembly.