A 1930's heritage home built for tram drivers renovated for a professional,

the new home is a masterpiece of design solutions inspired by the old tram cabins with a custom-made joinery. 

We were approached by an art collector and sailor who had a dream of turning his dark shop in the city centre of Turin into a cosy loft gallery. He wanted a space that was not only comfortable and practical, but also a place where he could showcase his artwork and movie posters collection. And let me tell you, it was no easy feat!

The garage was teeny-tiny, only 25 sqm, with a measly 10 sqm storage space in the back separated by a structural wall. But with some creative thinking, we managed to turn this space into a work of art. We decided to build a mezzanine level with a super thin steel floor structure that added some much-needed square footage. The only problem was, we had to work with some super thin structural elements to make it all work.

To make the most of the natural light, we placed the mezzanine right in the middle of the house, away from the openings. But the real showstopper was the cantilever cabin, which housed the bedroom, ensuite, and study. This feature was inspired by the historic Turin tram, in which the mechanical workshop was located just 100 meters from the house. The entire building was built in the 1930s for the tram drivers, so the idea of getting inspiration from that piece of history was a perfect fit.We presented the mezzanine as an alternative solution to the client. He never imagined a habitable mezzanine was achievable, but we made it happen! By moving the bedroom and ensuite upstairs, we not only changed the whole look of the place but also added economic value and a new way of living.

Location: Vanchiglia 
Typology: Heritage renovation
Status: Completed
Architect: Carlo Russo 
Builder: Fanelli
Budget: $ 450,000
Country: Italy