With a typically Milanese style, this new bed and breakfast in Piazza Cadorna, Milan, houses a 'red treasure chest' in the centre of the apartment. Aesthetically intriguing and multifunctional, it is the element around which the entire renovation project revolves

Staying in the center of Milan, in an environment that is both traditional and capable of surprising with special effects seems to accurately respond to the most classic of searches for accommodation in the city.

In reality, it is a real request from the client who consulted the architect Jacopo Bonini of AB Studio Architettura to transform a former warehouse into a hospitality facility. The office, abandoned for some time and uninhabitable in the conditions in which it was found, was redesigned to become a bed and breakfast with multiple narratives.

A place to stay, enjoying the large and airy spaces typical of the most authentic Milanese homes of the twentieth century. A place to take refuge from the urban frenzy that runs around the building, located in the heart of the city, in Piazza Cadorna. An apartment for short-term rentals in which, however, you can breathe a connection with contemporary art. And, finally, a B&B 'treasure chest' that invites you to stay inside a red cube that is totally unexpected until you notice it.

The red cube is precisely the element that distinguishes this interior: aesthetically intriguing and distinctive compared to any other type of residence in the city, it also embodies the tool that the architects used to organize the space.

To understand how a red cube can represent a functional architectural object, we interviewed Jacobo Bonini of AB Studio Architettura.

What was the creative and design process that led a former warehouse to become a B&B?

Jacopo Bonini: "The client who purchased the space wanted to transform it into a hospitality facility right from the start. I started from the creative concept based on the theme and style of the B&B, also evaluating the state of conservation and above all the potential of the spaces and their conditions on various fronts, with the aim of dedicating the place to welcoming guests.

During the pure architectural design phase, the distribution of the internal spaces and functional aspects such as natural and artificial lighting, heating, soundproofing and accessibility were studied.

The project renderings allowed us to see the finished spaces in all respects and it is at this moment that the undisputed protagonist of the project became tangible: the "red cube" that I like to define as the "treasure chest" that brings with it multiple functions."

Have you made any particular structural changes?

Jacopo Bonini: "Despite the major renovation work on the rooms, the load-bearing system has not undergone any transformations.

We worked on the demolition of all the partitions and unnecessary parts, the renovation of the systems (electrical, hydraulic and mechanical) and the construction or modification of walls and ceilings. The interiors were therefore adapted to create comfortable and welcoming spaces, with particular attention paid to the quality of the materials and the acoustics.

I chose to keep some original industrial elements of the initial warehouse, such as the exposed iron beams and the ceiling with small barrel vaults in the master bedroom (which was originally the "storage" area).

Thus, the space offers an authentic reference to tradition but with an "ethereal and gentle" face. Among the recovered elements, also the arched portal of passage between the day and night environment".

What were the main cornerstones around which you built the project?

Jacopo Bonini: "The cornerstones around which we shaped the project are three:

  • The central design element: namely the "red cube", an autonomous volume inspired by the "Needle, Thread and Knot" sculpture and the M1 line, which houses essential functions such as the bathroom and kitchen.
  • The contrast between past and present: we opted for the conservation of historical elements - the building is from the late nineteenth century - such as the arched portal, the original decorative frames and the windows, placing them in harmony with modern and minimal details.
  • Sustainability and comfort: we thought about the intelligent use of space and light to create a welcoming and functional environment and acoustic well-being, which is essential for hospitality".

How did you discover the semi-hidden arch?

Jacopo Bonini: "The arch was discovered during the renovation, revealing a precious historical detail that was enhanced within the overall design. While the demolition was in progress, an upper portion of the passageway detached and revealed its true geometry. Shortly thereafter, the property and I would have had an inspection and at that moment we decided together to keep it.

Is the parquet the result of a current stylistic choice or was it already present previously?

Jacopo Bonini: "The parquet is the result of a current stylistic choice: it was not present previously and, in the context of the project, it was used to bring warmth and continuity to the spaces, contrasting with the essentiality and modernity of the red cube. The choice of natural oak parquet laid in an Italian herringbone pattern coincides with the finishes present in some original units of the same building".

How did the idea of ​​the red cube come about?

Jacopo Bonini: "The idea of ​​the red cube was born from the desire to create an immediate visual fulcrum for the guest who stays and a functional one for the life of the spaces, expressing a synthesis between past and modernity.

One of the inputs of the property was to make the structure recognizable and leave an almost astonishing memory. The cube, conceived as a contemporary treasure chest, hosts the essential functions of the B&B and symbolizes an urban refuge: a box within a box."

In addition to being aesthetically impactful, what is the function it holds, on an organizational level?

Jacopo Bonini: "In addition to its aesthetic impact, the red casket plays a crucial role on a functional and organizational level. Inside it are housed the essential functions of the B&B: the kitchen, pantry, laundry room, closet and wardrobe as well as obviously the master suite bathroom.

These elements have been concentrated in an autonomous volume to optimize the space and separate the service areas from those intended for living and rest. In this way it is not only a decorative element, but also a functional heart, designed to guarantee practicality and harmony to the entire environment".

Did the creative idea of ​​the casket come first, or, vice versa, was it the result of a necessity that was then translated into a decorative element?

Jacopo Bonini: "The idea of ​​the casket was born from the functional need to organize the interior spaces efficiently. However, this practical need was then sublimated into a decorative and iconic element, which gave the project its identity.

The red cube, in addition to solving problems related to the distribution of the spaces, was transformed into a distinctive symbol, capable of dialoguing with the pre-existing historical elements and creating a strong aesthetic impact.

In addition to the color, the rigid geometries are in antithesis with the nature of the house, which is characterized by deco decorations and motifs. To emphasize the graft, it was also chosen to “detach” in height, making the new volume almost alien and therefore perfectly integrated with the original space".

Attraverso il colore rosso, il progetto tesse uno stretto rapporto con l'esterno - la vita milanese - e la metropolitana rossa. Come ci ha ragionato

Jacopo Bonini: "I committenti sono una coppia estremamente vivace e brillante, i quali vedono nel colore gioia ed allegria, è emerso quindi naturale proporre un colore vibrante.

La scelta del colore rosso è un riferimento visivo alla scultura "Ago, Filo e Nodo" di Oldenburg oltre che alla linea metropolitana rossa M1, emblematica della città di Milano, che incarna il legame tra la tradizione architettonica locale e il dinamismo moderno. Questo elemento mira a definire una forte identità all'interno del progetto e rende elettrizzante poterlo vivere.

Il B&B è localizzato qualche piano sopra alla fermata M1 Linea Rossa di p.zza Cadorna ed affaccia sulla scultura di Oldenburg, pareva quasi d’obbligo scegliere il colore rosso quale trait d’union.

È inoltre un richiamo alla frenesia cittadina, alla velocità delle connessioni ed alla temporaneità del luogo, che è vissuto per un periodo limitato e con intensità. Tutti riferimenti che sottendono tra l’altro un’omaggio ai progettisti Franco Albini, Bob Noorda e Gae Aulenti, da me sempre ammirati".