At Marcantonio’s House, Between Art and Nature

Small objects of art and fantastic creatures, like Ideal Standard sinks animated by beetles, ants, and sprouts, can be found in every corner

17/12/2024 – Located in the scenic hills between Bertinoro and Cesena, Marcantonio’s home-studio, designed by Piraccini+Potente Architettura, combines function, art, and nature. The Ideal Standard Atelier Collection tubs, sanitary ware, furniture, washbasins, and Strada II washbasins are more than just furniture – they are unique pieces customized by the artist with surprising details.

Designed as a neutral space open to artistic interpretation, it features natural materials like wood and essential volumes dominated by white. Every corner is populated with small works of art and fantastic creatures delicately integrated to transform the spaces into a gradually-unfolding visual narrative.

Marcantonio’s home-studio – photo Helenio BarbettaThe property consists of two distinct structures: the residence and Marcantonio’s laboratory-workshop, a key space for his artistic experimentation and daily reflection. The two structures are connected by a transparent wing that opens to surrounding nature, with constant visual dialog between interior and exterior. The white walls are intended as blank canvases – a backdrop for unique creations, like a cushion-only sofa, mushroom-shaped lamps, and a gorilla chair, creating a whimsical and surprising atmosphere.

Marcantonio’s home-studio – photo Helenio BarbettaThe studio’s six bathrooms and an additional washbasin in the workshop are true retreats. Marcantonio sees the bathroom as an intimate and contemplative place, a personal refuge where he can find solitude. Since childhood, he recalls, the bathroom has been a place of peace and reflection, where he can be alone with his thoughts. Ideal Standard’s simple and discreet design complements the space’s timeless aesthetic, blending perfectly with natural surroundings. Marcantonio explains, “Ideal Standard products are perfect for a space that lives and breathes with the surrounding nature. They are pleasant and integrate discreetly and harmoniously without overpowering.”

Marcantonio’s home-studio – photo Helenio BarbettaOne notable feature is an open-air bathroom on the terrace, which was inspired by Marcantonio’s travels in Indonesia. Immersed in vegetation, the space features Ideal Standard products that contribute to the tranquil setting, creating a serene oasis.
Marcantonio also customized many of the bathroom fixtures with poetic, nature-inspired details, including a beetle, a green bud emerging from the drain, and tiny ants climbing over the sink.

Marcantonio’s home-studio – photo Helenio BarbettaThese decorative elements are fully integrated into the poetics of the home-studio, where the connection between people and nature is a recurring theme. The small visual surprises that reveal themselves to the keen eye evoke a sense of wonder and reflection, adding a touch of magic and irony to everyday life. “People often freak out when they notice the bug or the sprout coming out of the sink,” Marcantonio shares. “These details evoke nature and remind them of nature’s presence and importance in my life and this project.” Customizing the bathroom fixtures becomes an extension of the guiding philosophy of his artistic vision: constant interaction between humans and nature.

Marcantonio’s home-studio – photo Helenio BarbettaMarcantonio chose the brushed gold finish of the faucets to match the bronze and brass sculptures in the house, creating visual continuity across all the spaces.
Beyond its artistic qualities, Marcantonio’s home was designed to be environmentally responsible. The use of natural materials and advanced energy management systems are strategies that also reflect Ideal Standard’s commitment to sustainability.

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