An artist apartment

When a photographer purchased this apartment of 500 square feet, in a humble Milanese building, it consisted of two-rooms badly distributed, in need of structural consolidation but with great potential: the terrace and the adjacent attic, so far unused. Thanks to the idea of including the attic space the apartment became a luminous open space with sloping ceilings, while creating a conservatory enhanced the terrace.

The architect Antonio Maria Becatti first created more natural light, enlarging the tiny bathroom window, facing south and with a wide view over the rooftops, and opening a new window in what later became the living area. The attic was then attached to the house with a glass corridor.

The attic was equipped with two skylights, one positioned above the bed. The roof has been redone to improve thermal insulation, but the original beams have been reused. The furniture and objects were found in junk shops from around Europe, and their heterogeneity contrasts with the linearity of the custom furniture designed and constructed of birch plywood, a material that provides a clean surface.

A frosted glass door leads to the conservatory, in the bathroom the tub is like a small swimming pool created with mosaic by Bisazza.

In the kitchen the cabinet are made of birch plywood and appliances are in brushed steel, the work surface is timeless Carrara marble.

At left an image of the new conservatory, which connects the living and sleeping areas and overlooks the terrace. At right, the pleasing atmosphere of the veranda with floor mosaics by Bisazza in ice-white hue.

The view from the top allows easy identification of the former two-room apartment, where they are now the living area and kitchen in a sort of small open space, and the bathroom (a total of 500 square feet), the new glass corridor opening to the terrace and linking to the attic area which now houses the bedroom and walk-in closet.

A very clever use of the space.

Photography by Andrea Vierucci