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In this compact 1930s apartment with sea views, architecture studio llabb brilliantly used carpentry and millwork as a primary design tool.
Located on the Ligurian coast in Levanto, Italy, Surf House is a mezzanine apartment with striking beach and sea views. Architecture and interior design studio llabb completed the renovation of the seaside villa for an American couple who purchased the unit from a local family. Dating back to the 1930s, the seafront building retains a series of original features, including a marble ramp at the entrance. The studio restored the original layout of the interiors, preserving the historical character of the villa while creating practical living spaces for the couple and their children.
The 100 sqm apartment now boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a family kitchen, and a study. Optimizing the layout for daily comfort and a better connection to the coastal town, the studio redesigned the main corridor that linked the sea-facing rooms to expand the living area. At the center of the apartment, there are two bathrooms and a service area. To the north, two bedrooms and a study that also doubles as a guest room when needed. To the south, the living room opens to views of the beach.
With a background in carpentry and joinery, the studio designed a custom band of natural oak and dark blue joinery that flows in the apartment in a continuous band. Used as a primary design tool, this striking millwork volume organizes the living spaces and features both storage areas and functional features. The furniture pieces from this system include a bookcase, a bench, the kitchen, beds, desks and wardrobes as well as niches and storage units. Elegant curves and deep blue reference the coastal setting and surfing culture.
Notable interior design details include Carl Hansen chairs, an Extendo table, and a llabb-designed, bespoke travertine and oak sink unit in one of the bathrooms.
Using carpentry as a design device that ensures spatial continuity and optimizes the usable space in a compact apartment, llabb has created a family home that is as practical as it is modern. Carefully aligned openings ensure that the living spaces remain closely connected with the marine setting, bringing the beauty of the Ligurian coast deep into the heart of the residence. Photography by Anna Positano | Studio Campo.
