A View to the Horizon: A Roman Home That Redefines the Interior Landscape
In a quiet suburb just outside Rome, a private residence is turning heads—not for its size or luxury, but for the clarity of its concept and the purity of its execution. Designed by Nir Sivan Architects, the project, titled Horizontal White, transforms a 150-square-meter home in Guidonia Montecelio into a striking visual and architectural experience.
From the outside, the house appears modest. But step inside, and it reveals a fluid dialogue between architecture, landscape, and natural light. At the heart of the design is a panoramic view, uninterrupted and fully embraced by the home’s structure. The house was conceived as a visual frame, capturing the surrounding environment and flooding the interiors with light.
The façade—finished in crisp white tones—is composed of two independent layers. The outer skin is a transparent glass envelope that opens the house to the landscape, while the inner layer consists of asymmetrical horizontal beams and columns, which double as floating shelves. These structural elements don’t merely support the building—they serve as part of the interior furniture, blending function and form in a seamless language of design.
The architectural inspiration draws heavily from the De Stijl movement, known for its use of non-linear rectangular geometry and spatial abstraction. This influence is evident in every detail—from the layout of the façade to the colored glass “aquarium boxes” that project outward, adding both visual rhythm and atmospheric lighting to the home.
But beyond aesthetics, the project is a testament to craftsmanship. Sivan worked closely with local steel artisans, combining custom design with material efficiency, all within a modest budget. The result is a home that feels both sculptural and lived-in—a minimalist statement with rich emotional undertones.
Originally built as a residence, the space now serves as both a psychology studio and a private retreat, reflecting the homeowner’s desire for tranquility, clarity, and creativity. The built-in library, aligned with the rhythm of the façade, reinforces the architectural narrative while serving a highly personal function.
With Horizontal White, Nir Sivan Architects proves that even small spaces can speak volumes—if designed with intention, discipline, and a deep understanding of how architecture can connect people with the world outside their window.