In the heart of Castel Maggiore, near Bologna, two former office spaces in an iconic 17-storey tower – once home to a local radio station – have undergone a meticulous renovation. The entire top floor has been converted into two separate penthouses of approximately 100 and 130 square metres, each complemented by large outdoor terraces (around 100 and 70 square metres respectively) that offer spectacular panoramic views. This ambitious project was a family collaboration between Bologna-based engineer Massimo Galletti, who oversaw site management and material selection, and his daughter Michela Galletti, an architect and home stager who curated the interior design and photography. The renovation has completely redefined the function and appearance of the spaces, focusing on high-efficiency systems, technical finishes, large windows and an overall sense of warmth and natural elegance.
The project was carried out in tandem with a residential energy retrofit of the building envelope under the “Ecobonus 110” incentive scheme. Consequently, the penthouses now benefit from thermally insulated facades and independent underfloor heating systems. For the finish, the designers chose oak-effect ceramic surfaces that catch the sunlight and extend out onto the terraces, ensuring a powerful natural appeal and visual continuity between the interior and exterior. The open-plan layouts facilitate fluid circulation and are bathed in natural light, further enhanced by suspended ceilings and integrated spotlighting.
For the flooring, Massimo Galletti specified 20×120 cm planks from Fap Ceramiche’s Roots collection in the colour Gold, which were laid in a staggered pattern throughout the interiors. He chose the series specifically for its “textured wood-like grain, with pronounced knots and veins that suggest the feel of natural timber”.
Galletti also opted for the Roots series for the floors in the four bathrooms, spaces where natural wood is traditionally considered difficult to maintain. For the walls, he specified the glossy Calacatta Oro finish (30.5×56 cm) from the Roma Gold collection, its golden veins harmonising perfectly with the oak tones. In the windowless bathrooms, the wood effect continues on the back shower wall, while in those with windows, the marble effect extends over all the surfaces.
