Residential
2023
190 sqm
Private commission
Photo by Simone Furiosi
The apartment is located in a building from the early 20th century that had extensive structural changes made to it to allow the construction of the new sixth floor.
The changes to the original floor plan were made with the deepest respect for a home that already had a story to tell; in fact, its architectural details from the early 1900s and 1950s offer a glimpse into a Milan that is strongly rooted in classicism but looks to the ‘future’.
The inspiration for this project came from the feeling of being in a historic space where something happened. An interesting mix of history and modernity and the client's desire to preserve the original but reinterpret it on a larger scale were the ‘élan vital’ that led us to rethink and characterise the entire apartment not only from the point of view of a contemporary reading of the existing materials, but also to create a more dynamic structure and layout.
The entrance was made more functional by opening up the kitchen and creating a free passage to the living area, where all the original internal walls were demolished to create a more dynamic and flexible layout with three distinct zones, each dedicated to a different function: a dining area, a living room for conversation and a space for more relaxed and cosy moments.
The original materials were preserved, such as the stucco decorations on the ceiling and the frames of the double doors. The existing green terrazzo tiles in the hallways were simply polished, while the wood floors in the bedrooms and living areas were refinished to give them a sexy, metropolitan charm; in fact, the choice of a semi-gloss black varnish reveals the original laying pattern and reproduces the light reflections in the room.
To mark the change and create more emphasis from one floor to the next, a polished brass inlaid plate was installed on each passageway door.
The powder room and master bathroom have a a new black and white design on the floor that contrasts with the colourful tiles on the walls. The bedrooms have coloured ceilings to integrate the structural reinforcement beams and create a more intimate atmosphere for the sleeping area.
Contrasts were used when selecting the materials for the interior design project. Noble materials such as marble (Arabescato Corchia and Verde Alpi) and softer fabrics such as silk, velvet and bouclé wool for the curtains and seating were combined with metals such as raw iron for the cabinet and sliding doors of the kitchen to reflect the eclectic soul of the owners. The same spirit guided the selection of furniture, a balanced mix of 20th-century designer pieces and modern antiques.
