MILAN — In the rapidly evolving Bovisa district of Milan, architectural innovation often means balancing the preservation of historical structures with the demands of contemporary urban lifestyles. Enter co.arch studio, which has recently unveiled its latest residential intervention: Imbriani. This ambitious project centers on the meticulous renovation and spatial reconfiguration of two adjacent early 20th-century apartments.
Rather than treating the two residences as entirely isolated real estate units or forcing them into a single, homogenous layout, the architects chose a more nuanced path. By organizing the apartments around a shared threshold, co.arch studio established a dynamic dialogue between autonomy and community. The result is a masterclass in modern interior architecture, utilizing a conceptual device that simultaneously separates and connects two distinct domestic identities.
Main Facts
The Imbriani project represents a sophisticated approach to multi-unit urban infill and interior renovation. At its core, the design strategy pivots on the interplay of two primary elements: spatial connectivity and chromatic contrast.
Project Name: Imbriani – Renovation of Two Apartments
Architectural Firm: co.arch studio
Curatorial Overview: Nina Vuga
Location: Bovisa District, Milan, Italy
Building Heritage: Early 20th-century residential architecture
Photographers: Tiziano Ercoli, Riccardo Giancola, and Francesca Iovene
Key Design Feature: A shared physical and conceptual threshold dividing and uniting two distinct residential spaces defined by contrasting chromatic palettes (earth red and matcha green).
The design refuses to compromise the historical integrity of the building envelope while boldly injecting contemporary aesthetic and functional standards into the living spaces. By playing with color theory, millwork, and spatial flow, co.arch studio has transformed what could have been cramped, outdated historical footprints into fluid, light-filled urban sanctuaries.
Chronology of the Imbriani Intervention
The realization of the Imbriani project follows a carefully orchestrated timeline typical of high-end European interior transformations, moving from historical context analysis to material execution.
Phase 1: Historical Assessment and Site Discovery
At the inception of the project, co.arch studio faced the typical challenges associated with early 20th-century Milanese housing stock: compartmentalized layouts, underutilized circulation spaces, and a lack of modern infrastructural integration. The Bovisa district, known for its industrial heritage and academic presence (home to the Politecnico di Milano), provided an eclectic backdrop for the intervention. The design team conducted a thorough survey of the structural load-bearing walls, ceiling heights, and original openings to determine what could be preserved and where strategic surgical interventions were necessary.
Phase 2: Conceptualization of the Shared Threshold
The conceptual breakthrough for Imbriani came from redefining the boundary between the two apartments. Instead of treating the shared party wall or entry point as a dead zone, the architects transformed it into an active architectural device. This "threshold" acts as a spatial hinge. It allows two separate households—or potentially members of an extended family, or a live-work dynamic—to share a common arrival zone while retaining absolute privacy once inside their respective domains.
Phase 3: Spatial Partitioning and Chromatic Strategy
Once the layout was optimized for modern spatial flow, the interior finishes were introduced to establish the unique personalities of each unit. The design team bypassed neutral palettes in favor of a bold, immersive chromatic strategy.
Apartment One was wrapped in rich, grounding tones of earth red, invoking warmth, historical weight, and a sense of enclosure.
Apartment Two embraced a serene, contemporary matcha green, fostering a connection to nature, calm, and visual spaciousness.
Phase 4: Millwork Integration and Final Styling
The final phase of construction focused on custom-built cabinetry, integrated storage solutions, and lighting design. Because early 20th-century apartments often suffer from a lack of built-in storage, co.arch studio designed bespoke millwork that mirrors the chromatic identities of each apartment, effectively blurring the lines between structural walls, storage units, and decorative art pieces.
Supporting Data and Context: Urban Regeneration in Bovisa
To fully understand the significance of the Imbriani project, one must examine the broader urban context of Milan’s Bovisa district. Over the past two decades, Bovisa has transitioned from a heavy industrial suburb into one of Milan’s most vibrant intellectual and creative hubs.
Demographic Shifts: The influx of university students, researchers, and young creative professionals has driven a high demand for flexible, high-design housing units that break away from traditional suburban or monolithic urban models.
The Tiny-Apartment Phenomenon: Urban density in Milan has spurred a micro-architecture movement. Projects like Imbriani demonstrate how smaller footprints (typically under 60–70 square meters per unit) can be optimized through clever spatial planning, multi-functional furniture, and vertical volume utilization.
Material Efficiency: Renovations of 20th-century structures inherently reduce the carbon footprint compared to demolition and new construction. By retaining the masonry shell and upgrading thermal and acoustic insulation internally, projects like Imbriani contribute to Milan’s municipal goals of sustainable urban renewal.
Official Perspectives and Design Philosophy
While full transcripts of developer interviews focus heavily on the emotional resonance of the spaces, statements released by co.arch studio emphasize the sociological implications of modern co-living and spatial sharing.
"The threshold is not merely a door or a hallway; it is a membrane," notes the design team in their project brief. "In contemporary European cities, living arrangements are becoming more fluid. People want proximity without sacrificing autonomy. Imbriani explores how architecture can facilitate this duality—allowing two distinct lives to unfold side-by-side, connected by a shared spatial choreography."
Curator Nina Vuga highlights the poetic yet pragmatic nature of the intervention: "The choice of earth red and matcha green is not accidental. These colors do not just decorate the walls; they dictate the rhythm of living. They pull the inhabitant through a psychological transition as they move from the chaotic exterior of Milanese urban life into the carefully calibrated interior atmosphere."
Implications for Contemporary Milanese Architecture
The Imbriani project serves as a case study for future residential developments across historic European capitals. Its implications span architectural theory, real estate economics, and interior design trends:
1. Reimagining Multi-Generational and Flexible Living
As housing costs rise in global cities like Milan, traditional single-family homes are becoming unattainable for many. The strategy employed at Imbriani—splitting or pairing apartments around a central core—offers a viable alternative for multi-generational families, friends who want to live near each other while maintaining independent lives, or investors looking for flexible rental models.
2. The Return of Emotional Chromaticism
For years, minimalist interior design was dominated by sterile greys, stark whites, and uniform light wood. Projects like Imbriani signal a definitive shift toward emotional chromaticism. By committing entirely to strong, saturated hues (earth red and matcha green), co.arch studio proves that small spaces do not need to be painted white to feel large; instead, they can achieve depth, character, and monumentality through confident color blocking.
3. Preserving Historical Fabric Through Creative Adaptation
Milan is densely packed with architectural layers spanning the late 19th century through the brutalist and modern booms of the post-war era. Imbriani demonstrates that preserving historical buildings does not mean turning them into museums. By inserting ultra-modern spatial concepts and striking color palettes into early 20th-century shells, architects can breathe new life into heritage properties without erasing their past.
Conclusion
co.arch studio’s Imbriani project is more than just a successful interior renovation; it is a thoughtful meditation on how we share space in the 21st century. By bridging two distinct homes with a carefully curated threshold and defining them through contrasting chromatic worlds, the project enriches the architectural discourse of Milan and offers a compelling blueprint for urban living worldwide.
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