Micheli House is a family home in Florence, Italy, which was designed by the Italian architect Simone Micheli. It is a contemporary refuge, a mix between ancient and modern flooded by natural light.
The project consists in the link between two small apartments in order to create a unified whole through a demolition work.
The house is divided into three levels, the overall height being used to create intermediate floors.
The medieval architecture can be spotted in one part of the house due to the exposed ancient brick wall. The reflections are accentuated by the pillars covered in mirror panels highlighted by a multicolored striped.
The second floor is installed on a wooden loft and accommodates a video room, a fitness area with bike and runner, a bookshelves set and two storage areas.
The third floor consists in the terrace which acts as an outdoor living room with a barbeque area, a kitchen with gas stove and one tank sink.
The core of the house which is protected by a lacquered wood door, is mainly consisted from the technical room where there are placed the boiler, the HVAC and also the boiler’s water storage.
2. Flame violet (episcia cupreata ‘silver skies’) comes from Colombia and Venezuela and is a perennial plant, very cute and it makes very nice red-orange flowers. It can live in the same pot for 4 years, but it is recommended to renew it every two years as it loses its beauty.
3. Peace lily (spathiphyllum). 2 weeks after blooming, the spathiphyllum flower changes its color from white to green, remaining attached to the plant for another 2-3 weeks. The plant tolerates shade and penumbra very well, but it needs a humid atmosphere up to 75-80%.
4. Thanksgiving cactus (schlumbergera truncata) is originally from Brazil and has this name due to the fact that it blooms around Thanksgiving Day. It grows beautifully in indirect light and the soil it lives in has to be constantly wet.
8. Sentry palm, Kentia palm, paradise palm (howea forsteriana) is suitable both for homes and offices, giving the space an elegant and tropical note. This palm is one of the most resistant and adaptable interior shrubs. It loves the natural light but not the direct sunlight. As for the humidity, you must water it only when you notice the soil begins to dry after the last watering.
20. English ivy, Baltic ivy (hedera helix) is a plant with slow growth, especially in the early years of planting, and it can reach a height of 30 meters. This climbing plant prefers the coolness, but not the extreme cold. The ideal place for it should be a room where the temperature does not grow more than 16 degrees. It shouldn’t be placed in direct sunlight and it should be watered regularly, except in winter when the watering must be moderate, not letting the soil dry.
Now that I have listed a few of the plants that can live in a house that is not very spoiled by the sun, you can be sure that you will benefit from the pleasant aspect and the fresh oxygen offered by the potted plants. Yes, as you read above, there are many plants that do not necessarily “eat” a lot of sun and can decorate your home the way you want.
Summary
The Micheli House in Florence, Italy, designed by Simone Micheli, is a contemporary family home that beautifully blends ancient architecture with modern design, emphasizing natural light and open spaces. The transformation involved merging two small apartments into a cohesive living space across three levels, incorporating intermediate floors to maximize the use of height. Notable features include a medieval section with exposed brick walls, mirror-paneled pillars with multicolored stripes that enhance light reflections, and a wooden loft on the second floor that houses a video room, fitness area, bookshelves, and storage spaces. The top floor opens to a terrace designed as an outdoor living area with a barbecue, kitchenette, and dining space. The heart of the home contains essential technical equipment behind a lacquered wood door, and innovative lighting solutions like LED spotlights and linear lights integrated into the architecture. The use of natural materials and finishes throughout aligns with the family’s lifestyle, ensuring a harmonious balance appeal.
Related Interests
People inspired by the Micheli House often show interest in exploring the fusion of historical and contemporary architecture, specifically how modern design elements can be integrated into traditional structures without losing their original charm. There’s a growing curiosity about sustainable and natural building materials that complement such architectural endeavors. The concept of adaptive reuse of spaces, particularly in urban environments where space is at a premium, is also a related area of interest. Additionally, there’s enthusiasm for smart home technologies that enhance living comfort while being aesthetically pleasing, and for interior design trends that emphasize minimalism, functionality, and the importance of natural light. Architectural tours in historic cities, DIY home renovation blogs, and magazines focusing on modern interior design are likely to appeal to those fascinated by the Micheli House’s unique blend of the old and new.
