A Loft on Viale Pasubio
The conversion of a former mechanical workshop into a residential space is located on the outskirts of the historic center, in an area undergoing full urban redevelopment. The property is situated within a typical Milanese courtyard, where traditional case di ringhiera (tenement houses with shared balconies) are also present. The entrance on Viale Pasubio faces the Feltrinelli Foundation, designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, and is just a short distance from Via Paolo Sarpi and Corso Como.
The project focuses on preserving the original workshop spaces while reinterpreting them for residential use, with the aim of maintaining their historical memory. The extraordinary volumetric relationships, created by the interplay of single- and double-height spaces, remain intact. The project also incorporates references to archaic materials (stone, straw, bronze, iron) alongside industrial elements (Corten steel, aluminum alloy, glass, wood). The use of temporary architectural elements, the translucent surfaces of zinc-titanium alloy cladding, and the rough textures of ceilings made from straw and lime mortar all contribute to an overall atmosphere of well-being, evoking the memory of spaces that have been lived in and worked in before. The renovation allows the craftsmanship of the artisans who worked in these now-defunct mechanical workshops to remain visible within the home.
The two large arched entrance doors to the loft have been restored, featuring new iron-framed windows in a deep burgundy red, matching the rest of the fixtures. These doors lead into the expansive double-bay space with a height of 5.5 meters, preserved in its original configuration. At the far end, the bathroom, bedroom, and a mezzanine level with a walkway are located. A small ground-floor patio, previously enclosed inappropriately, has also been restored.
All original openings to the exterior have been maintained, allowing natural light to play a crucial role—especially due to the fortunate south-facing orientation of the two large windows overlooking the shared courtyard.
In the right-hand bay, the only bedroom is positioned beneath the mezzanine level. Against it, a bivouac-like structure is set—an architectural reference to temporary shelters, symbolizing the nomadic nature of the homeowners and their passion for long journeys. This "temporary architecture," clad in zinc-titanium alloy, serves a dual function: it extends the usable surface of the bedroom beneath the mezzanine, which was otherwise too small, while also resolving the need for a non-walkable covering that remains proportionate to the imposing height of the main space in which it is contained. This "box within a box" features an irregular profile and a continuous curved roof that seamlessly integrates with the façade, where natural light refracts into various shades.
The patio walls, punctuated by four porthole windows across two levels, are clad in the same material with matching ridges, reinforcing the connection between interior and exterior. A green wall with climbing ivy forms a natural backdrop to the second bay of the main space, where the kitchen island—clad in stone on all five sides—becomes a focal point due to its monolithic appearance.
The industrial concrete flooring features joints deliberately highlighted by randomly placed bronze bars, subtly guiding the viewer’s gaze in multiple directions and forming a large-scale Shangai (pick-up sticks) pattern.
Completing the project is an extraordinary collection of design furniture that does not merely occupy the space but defines it with its iconic significance. The furnishings include iron and glass chandeliers, a 1970s dining table in brass, chrome, and glass, Swedish rosewood bookshelves reassembled into a contemporary triptych, a Thomas Rietveld sofa counterbalanced by another designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in the 1980s.
