Casa Civiè | VERGATI CREATIVE STUDIO

Casa Civiè is a refined 19th-century 75 sqm apartment located in the heart of Ostuni (BR), restored to its former splendor thanks to a meticulous renovation. The goal, as explained by the project’s architect Andrea Vergati of Vergati Creative Studio, was to bring the spaces back to their original forms, allowing a dialogue with the outdoors through light. A project that aims to intertwine history and contemporaneity.

“Before the renovation, the rooms were dark and small,” says Vergati, “with divided spaces that did not respect the shape of the vaults—one of the home’s distinctive features—some of which had even been covered by slabs used as storage since the 1960s. The vaults are what most characterize each room,” he continues, “and they are now visible again thanks to the restoration of the original colors previously concealed beneath multiple layers of paint. After careful study, we uncovered portions of the original color, reaching a balance between renewal and history.”

This new organization of the spaces gives new shape to the rooms, creating a connection between environments and allowing light to flow. This provides a sense of spaciousness and continuity with the outdoors: on one side the Adriatic Sea, on the other the White City.

“Light,” explains architect Vergati, “is what allows the colors and shapes of the house to live in complete harmony. To this end, an arched opening was created beneath the central vault, allowing light to pass through the spaces and creating a visual connection between rooms on multiple levels—something unusual in the traditional architecture of the area. The rooms skillfully combine the rusticity of vintage furniture and existing textures with the minimalism of continuous finishes and concealed cabinetry to achieve a perfectly harmonious result. All of this is tied together by a palette of soft, warm, and neutral tones to create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. Finally, the green of the plants adds a touch of color to the home.”

Another distinctive feature is the custom-made wooden doors that evoke the era in which the apartment was built. These are complemented by the sliding door between the bedroom and the bathroom, designed without compromising stylistic continuity with the rest of the home. A door that is both visible and invisible because, when left open, it connects the bedroom and the main bathroom, almost as if they were a single space. All of this creates a play of lights, mirrors, shapes, and concealed wardrobes that make use of both new and pre-existing niches.
An apartment where nothing is left to chance and which fully reflects the studio’s philosophy.