The S. Ambrogio cooperative housing project comprises 32 apartments in Milan. Commissioned by a housing cooperative, the building replaces a previously disused structure, completing the streetscape at the corner of Via Savona and Via Bruzzesi. The façade design emphasizes the building’s urban presence, defining the corner along Via Savona while harmonizing with the varied styles and heights of the surrounding buildings.
At street level, the entrance atrium leads to two ground-floor community rooms, intended for both residents and neighborhood events. Staircases with exposed concrete structures provide access to the upper floors, where landings are lit by skylights, as well as to the rooftop terrace.
The apartments range from one- to three-bedroom units, culminating in penthouses. Their layout and mix—both highly flexible—reflect extensive collaboration with the cooperative’s members and future residents. The result consists of a series of typologies that allow for multiple post-occupancy adaptations.
Two underground levels accommodate building services and a private parking garage with approximately thirty spaces.
Externally, a metal framework with vertical elements of varying widths frames generous balconies. These outdoor extensions of the living spaces overlook the city from the building’s sunniest side. Along Via Savona, the framework aligns with the street front, then transitions into a series of subtly rotated, flag-hinged surfaces as it turns onto Via Bruzzesi. The balconies gradually diminish in size toward the upper floors, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow across the façade.
