Residence, Milan, 2004

With Massimiliano Roca

The renovation project of a housing block built in the 1950’s becomes the chance to pause and reflect over a project which shows the great changes that have been undertaken over the course of almost half a century in the large cities as a result of the “Modus Viventus” or way of life.

Society and the city have indeed undergone irretrivably radical change whereby everything has been changed according the needs and demands of the real estate market as well as the wishes of the clients.

The original layout of the building which goes back to the 50’s is dominated by the presence of a long corridor deprived of natural daylight which serves as an entrance  going along the whole length of the building so as to allow access to the different rooms.

This layout, strongly influenced by the kind of building in question, does however bring into force a number of constraints that lead to installation systems within its framework.

The presence of a 30 metre terrace purchased by the owner but not accessible as it is separated by the attic, directly becomes the  key of the project which involves the demolition of the slab floor separating the two floors, a strategy to resolve the connection between the two areas as well as allowing height and strong natural daylight thus changing it into a spacious living area. The project therefore completely modifies the features and practicality of the entrance area.

The project modifies the distribution and organization of the entrance floor ambients, bedrooms and bathrooms being flanked by wardrobes and a little laundry-corner.

The living/kitchen space extends upwards becoming a large double area intersected by a hanging metal gangway featuring two protruding volumes on the upper floor containing the second bedroom and a bathroom respectively. It is possible to reach the terrace from this floor.

The metal beams are at the same time both a structural and contemporary feature, painted white like the walkways which sketch and underline the geometry of the environment, one of an “aereo-like” one dominated by light.

The white coloured walls and structures form a contrast with warm tones of the Iroko wood flooring and the brutality of the raw steel sheets used for covering the kitchen-walls. Some made-to-measure furniture are fitted into the masonry upon in which there are placed fascinating objects typical of the 70’s.

Foto di Cristina Fiorentini (www.cristinafiorentini.it)