Residential renovation in Rome. 50 sqm.​

Architect: Marzia Fiume Garelli – FiumeArchitecture

Photography: Antonio Catino - Catino Foto

Project Location: via di Santa Melania, Rome

Built in 2009

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Located in one of Rome’s most prestigious residential areas, the project in Via di Santa Melania is an architectural triumph of optimization and bespoke design. Completed in 2009 by Architect Marzia Fiume Garelli (FiumeArchitecture), this renovation transformed a compact 50 sqm apartment into a modern residence with a distinctive character.

From Technical Constraints to Elevated Living

The apartment's unique positioning—a ground floor unit situated directly above the building’s garage area—inspired a strategic reflection on verticality and light management. The renovation successfully mitigated the original structural constraints, enhancing the perception of space through a clever interplay of transparencies and reflective materials.

Design and Light: A Play of Reflections

Despite the small footprint, the home feels airy and expansive thanks to a fluid layout that connects the living areas. Key features of the intervention include:

• Visual Connections: The strategic use of glass surfaces and mirrors allows natural light to bounce into the deeper corners of the apartment, eliminating the "closed-in" feel often associated with ground-floor units.

• Volume and Comfort: Advanced technical solutions were integrated to manage thermal and acoustic insulation (essential for a unit located above a garage), ensuring premium living standards.

Where Art Meets Functionality

True to the studio's philosophy, every detail was curated to be both functional and artistic. The choice of materials and the geometric rigor of the volumes create a timeless, elegant environment. At Santa Melania, the limited square footage is no longer a constraint but a precious frame for a sophisticated, contemporary life in the heart of the Aventino district.

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