Off. Auto by Piraccini + Potente Architettura

In Cesena, an abandoned mechanical workshop was transformed into a contemporary house that meets precisely the living and working needs of a family of three. The project, signed by Piraccini + Potente architettura (arch. Stefano Piraccini and arch. Margherita Potente), arises from the desire to create a hybrid space in which the domestic dimension and the professional one intertwine in an harmonious balance, also taking into account the needs of a five-year-old child, who can – and must – be able to move independently in the spaces, under the watchful eyes of his parents.

The original space, emptied inside, was made energy-efficient through the insulation of the external envelope, the use of performance fixtures, and the installation of a radiant floor system. From a compositional point of view, the spatiality was redefined through the insertion of three monolithic volumes in beech wood, which serve a dual purpose: to articulate the internal organization and contain the more reserved functions, such as the bathrooms, laundry, and bedrooms. The upper floor of these blocks houses the workspaces: on one side the study for smart working, on the other a room dedicated to yoga and pilates. A system of walkways, protected by steel railings and nets, connects the volumes and allows for a dynamic enjoyment of the space, while a metal spiral staircase makes access possible, serving as a vertical distribution fulcrum.

The ground floor, conceived as a fluid environment without spatial hierarchies, welcomes the living area in a single open space that integrates the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Natural light, coming from what was previously the workshop’s entrance door, amplifies the perception of space and interacts with the continuous cement flooring, which not only recalls the industrial memory of the place but also enhances the brightness and materiality of the interiors with its dynamic shades.

Realized in Deco Nuvolato, a cement-based decorative surface signed by Isoplam, the continuous flooring is the key element to the fluidity of the spaces, as it is applied in every environment on the ground floor, from the day area to the bathroom, from the kitchen to the bedrooms. Wear-resistant, impact-resistant, and traffic-resistant, it guarantees high performance even in contexts subject to daily stresses: its advanced formulation makes it waterproof, stain-resistant, oil-resistant, and dust-resistant, thus perfectly adapting to areas with higher humidity or frequently coming into contact with oily substances, like kitchens and bathrooms.

Thanks to its high thermal conductivity, Deco Nuvolato optimizes the heat diffusion generated by the radiant floor system, ensuring uniform and homogeneous distribution in the environment. This not only allows for walking comfortably barefoot but also provides a pleasant and enveloping sensation of well-being, due to the slight warmth of the surface. The absence of grout joints further reinforces the aesthetic and material continuity of the space and significantly simplifies cleaning and maintenance operations, ensuring a durable, functional surface that remains impeccable over time.