Architects: Park Associati, Matteo Tartufoli / M2P Architetti Associati Location: Milan, Italy Photographs: Andrea Martiradonna
The elegant early twentieth-century building is located next to Porta Venezia in the centre of Milan, an area characterized by some significant examples of Liberty architecture as well as the twentieth-century Rasini tower by Giò Ponti which, situated directly opposite, provides an evocative contrast. The bright, well-lit apartment, set over the top two floors of the building, contains 1950s furniture and an interesting contemporary art collection. The view outside looks mainly over the gardens around Porta Venezia. The principal entrance, situated on the lower floor, opens directly onto the living room situated on two levels and crowned by a long L-shaped balcony. The space is conceived as a single, flexible environment, where the various rooms are separated by sliding foldaway doors in coloured acidated glass. When “open”, the floor can be read in its length and breadth. The bathroom and kitchen are also located on this floor. On the upper floor, derived from two small terraces, are located the master bedroom with en suite bathroom and the two children’s rooms. The apartment is marked by simple touches, neutral colours and a beige and grey-coloured Verona stone flooring. A masonry and steel staircase, which appears to be suspended in mid-air, connects the two floors from the living room.