Casa B. V.

The idea of the Casa B. V. project, created by the Bologna-based architectural firm CIMA Studio, was to read a space's potential before it is occupied.  From the time the property was selected, the design process began. It was intended to serve as a private home as well as a true research laboratory for architecture and composition.

The apartment, with its trapezoidal floor plan and L-shaped terrace, immediately inspired an unconventional spatial interpretation. The transformation included the creation of an airy and textured open space, achieved by removing the partitions between the entrance and living room and enhancing the exposed concrete beams and pillars.

Lighting as a key element

In this context, light takes center stage in the architectural language, defining the rooms' compositional rhythm, colors, and material contrasts.

• Vibrant red was selected for the CONO lamp. It illuminates the dining area, creating a visual harmony with the external heating pipes, the raw concrete pillar and the kitchen elements. It illuminates the dining area, creating visual harmony with the external heating pipes, the raw concrete pillar, and the kitchen elements.

• The SHANGHAI suspension lamp emphasises the structure of the beams and creates a graphic interplay with the pipes, accentuating the three-dimensionality of the space.

• Finally, the deep blue PULCE table lamp introduces a playful note to the master bedroom, delicately illuminating the birch surfaces of the parquet flooring and freestanding headboard.

Combining architecture and light

The lighting design is not limited to the main rooms, but also accompanies the transitional spaces, such as the corridor. This is designed as a neutral space defined by LED lighting that contrasts with the sleeping area and introduces the black v shower volume.

A CIMA Studio project
With Casa B. V., CIMA Studio demonstrates a refined ability to combine the poetics of space with architectural rigour. By being incorporated into the project, the lighting options improve the aesthetic decisions and actively contribute to the architectural story.

ph. Stefano Maniero