The 1970s spawned both conversation pits and brutalist architecture—and in a central Milan district, Nick Maltese and by Federico Pagetti Nick Maltese Studio they were allowed to coexist, in an almost colorless, four-story house for an art collector. Stripping brutalism to a design philosophy where minimalism speaks volumes, the studio has created a space that brings austerity and whimsy to a setting for everyday life and high-concept private events.
The project’s material palette interprets the Brutalist architectural style through an almost personalized approach: exposed concrete, plank finishes and industrial stainless steel create an intense and tactile atmosphere. Three above-ground floors and a basement are anchored by a strong vertical axis – a sculptural black metal staircase custom-designed by the studio traverses the entire house, defining views at every level.
On the ground floor, a double-height living room with a handcrafted metal mezzanine acts as the heart of the home. The kitchen, clad in gleaming stainless steel, echoes the precision of professional hospitality environments. Nearby, a dining table made entirely of concrete flashes the raw rebar that forms its structure below. These brazen moments of exposed armor are found in nooks and crannies throughout the residence.
The focal point of the ground floor is a contemporary reinterpretation of the conversation pit: the sunken area defined by soft volumes, inviting interaction and slowing down the pace of domestic life. All around, the client’s incredibly eclectic collection of contemporary art offers bursts of color that break up the home’s deep sense of discipline. Pieces seemingly float along stone walls (including a life-size hazmat suit sculpture resting in one corner).
Inside the residence is the introverted and sensual basement, which houses a private wellness area with a pool, sauna and counter-current hammam.
As seasoned design and fashion professionals, Maltese and Pagetti know how to redefine luxury—and here, it’s the expressive, raw power of materials that trumps conventional excess. A seasoned homeowner’s dream, the Milanese residence unreservedly features what its designers boldly call “the courage of abstraction.”
Photo by Simone Nicolaci.
