Set Architects Renovates Rome Apartment with Steel and Historical Preservation

Set Architects has renovated an early 20th-century apartment in Rome's Nomentano district, replacing a rigid layout with an interconnected spatial sequence. The intervention preserves original plaster moldings, wooden doors, and colored glass inserts while introducing modern elements like stainless steel sliding doors, frosted glass sliders, and a custom oak parquet floor. The design uses reflective steel inserts and lacquered finishes to create a dialogue between classical proportions and modern geometry. The apartment features full-height folding panels and pocket doors, allowing the family to reconfigure spaces for open entertainment or isolated relaxation. The project references similar renovations in Rome, such as 02A Studio's use of functional furniture partitions and Studio Strato's Itaca House, but opts for a reductive palette of neutral tones and reflective surfaces. Set Architects argues that true luxury in historic renovations lies in controlling how space is partitioned, not in open space itself.