Schiltach, August 2022. That Peter Ippolito and his partner Stefan Gabel found an apartment in a Gruenderzeit residence on the outskirts of Stuttgart’s city center was pure chance. Naturally, the pair quickly began renovating and furnishing the space – a journey typically made with their clients as part of their daily work as architect and textile designer, and one fueled by their creativity and experience, memories and expertise, vulnerability, and honesty. The destination of this excursion – if there is one at all – is the Maisonette P155. Here, Peter and Stefan have created what they call their ‘home base’; a two-story, 290-square-meter apartment providing space for comfort and room for socializing in equal measure. And for the bathrooms, they selected faucets from the AXOR Urquiola collection. The choice was a natural one for the two creatives, who have always been enthusiastic about the collection’s personality and design.
“In a concept where we talk about personality and distinctiveness, we naturally looked for a faucet that would deliver both. An object that fits into the design concept on the one hand, and on the other hand also makes a ‘self-confident’ contribution within this collection of personalities. And that's why we were very happy to choose AXOR Urquiola, which we've always liked and fits in very well here,” Peter Ippolito, Managing Partner, Ippolito Fleitz Group recalls.
Confrontation, Friction, Adoption
Renovating the stunning apartment came with constructional challenges, ranging from the floor plan – which occupies a part of the building that tapers like a piece of cake – to the fact that the façade and original interior furnishings, including the floors, doors, and room layout, are protected as historic monuments. In addition, Peter and Stefan had to work with a layout typical of the Gruenderzeit period, with a central hallway and rooms arranged around it, which they attempted to expand while preserving the apartment’s historical furnishings and identity. The two owners describe the exciting design process of Maisonette P155 as a confrontation with installations from previous owners, as well as an exercise in reducing the "friction" against the apartment’s unalterable features. Taking these steps allowed them to create a unique residence and ultimately a more personal notion of living.
Distinctive and Surprising
At first glance, the apartment appears to be a medley of personal mementos and furniture: a lively staging of unique finds from numerous trips – from a life-sized wooden horse to an imposing, antique wooden bench from India – as well as design classics and modern, self-designed furnishings. Yet the harmonious overall effect of this collage reveals the resident’s characteristically creative handwriting. The black herringbone parquet flooring connects the individually designed rooms, while the asymmetrical wall openings create additional connections between the areas, all of which contain thoughtful contrasts and consistent lighting. These features help construct the apartment’s unified aesthetic: a work of art that invites one to discover and experience it repeatedly.
The Bathroom as a Natural Living Space
Peter Ippolito and his partner furnished the main bathroom with a washbasin unit, equipped with a large mirror, which they placed in the center of the room before, positioning the shower and bathtub around it. Located directly under the window, the bathtub offers a magnificent view of the outside. In the shower area, the black wooden floor gives way to a light shell limestone that extends to the ceiling and, together with the custom-made, light wood furniture and high, salmon-colored walls, produces a warm atmosphere. A natural living space, the main bathroom in Maisonette P155 offers the two residents a retreat from everyday life; a counterpart to the accelerating digital world that allows them to start the day with a generous shower and wash off the day in the evening.
The AXOR Urquiola faucets add a distinct contribution to this bathroom, which reflects the personalities of both users. An artful fusion of styles and eras, the single-lever washbasin faucet boasts expressive details and an asymmetrically arranged handle on the side. Together with the eye-catching, floor-standing AXOR Urquiola bath thermostat, the extravagant faucets fit perfectly into this archive of two lives while easily fulfilling their function – dispensing water and thus ensuring well-being.
About AXOR
AXOR conceives and manufactures iconic objects for luxurious bathrooms and kitchens. Developed in collaboration with world-renowned designers – Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, Jean-Marie Massaud and Barber Osgerby among them – AXOR products come in a variety of styles. All AXOR faucets, showers and accessories are produced to the highest standards of quality. With an expertise that extends far beyond the products themselves, AXOR inspires and enables architects, interior designers and the design-savvy public. Together with AXOR, they shape water-related spaces that reflect the unique personality of the user. Part of the Hansgrohe Group, AXOR is a forward-thinking brand dedicated to developing distinctive products, manufactured with excellence.