VDS House: an essential retreat in the heart of Rome
Located in the northern part of the capital, Conca D'Oro is a densely populated neighborhood of Rome, a stone's throw from the Aniene River, one of the main tributaries of the city's lifeblood, the Tiber.
This area has experienced unstoppable growth since the post-war period, and this growth is reflected in the architectural choices that determine its appearance.
Within Conca D'Oro stands a four-story building erected in the 1960s with a characteristic brick facade and cruciform concrete pillars supporting the canopy of the first floor: a simple glance is enough to immerse oneself in an era marked by optimism, prosperity, and hope.
Upon entering the house, however, you will find yourself at the center of a delicate dialogue between modernity and the style that distinguishes the Conca D'Oro neighborhood.
changing while remaining true to one's origins
Crossing the threshold, one cannot help but be overwhelmed by a welcoming and romantic atmosphere that does not betray the historical period in which the building was erected. It is equally difficult to remain immune to a feeling of conscious nostalgia for times that seem much more distant than the years might indicate.
The original flooring has been preserved along with the Bardiglio marble baseboards. The centrality of the flooring is reflected in the stylistic choices behind the color palette of the living area: shades of cerulean and dusty gray create a neutral and relaxed setting in which the furnishings and details are highlighted without creating distraction.
Despite the major modernization work, VDS House blends discreetly and elegantly with its surroundings, adapting to them with quiet humility that can only increase the amazement of anyone visiting it for the first time.
revolutionizing while maintaining the original structure
The original layout of the apartment has been preserved and placed at the center of the project.
The most significant interventions focused on the reorganization of the kitchen and bathrooms: the biggest challenge was to rethink the domestic circulation without breaking the original architectural rhythm.
The corridor has been elegantly divided into two parts; the first connects the common areas of the house, while the second leads discreetly to the more private rooms. This change of tone is also conveyed by the judicious use of wall paneling, bold and clearly decorative in the entrance hall, while in the sleeping area it becomes more serene and subdued.
Equally delicate was the choice to use a curtain to ‘hide’ the wall at the back of the living area covered with acoustic panels, a sort of secret that offers a moment of analog intimacy made less sterile by the warmth emanating from such a stylistic choice.
sobriety and elegance in a neighborhood where time seems to have stood still
The most surprising result of the VDS House project is undoubtedly its respect for the origins of the house. The goal of preserving its identity has been achieved with extreme skill, as functionality and sobriety come together effortlessly and naturally inside.
However decisive, every design choice is based on a delicacy created by a real dialogue with the building, whose pre-existing identity has not only been respected but also enhanced by a series of stylistic choices that have brought it into relation with the present, with which it dialogues brilliantly.
Photo Credits: Paolo Fusco - archdaily.com