Step inside this Milanese urban oasis
Inspired by the traditional cloisters of Milan, this modernist apartment building features smart green spaces throughout. We discover the penthouse, where minimal interiors are enriched with sophisticated materials

A historical Milanese location, formerly the home of a convent in the heart of the city and damaged during the war, the Courtyard, is a residential complex by architecture firm DFA Partners. Inside, is a newly-completed penthouse, its apartment interior design featuring some of Italy’s finest excellencies in the field.
‘I have asked myself many times what would be the fate of those abandoned structures in the city center,’ says architect Daniele Fiori. ‘What came almost automatically was the need to analyze the area from above.’ The architect observed that all around the building was a sequence of cloisters, which inspired him to create a new architecture ‘in tune with the character of Milan; namely entirely inside, very private, with the surprise of the courtyard and sufficient area to contain a large garden.’
The green space is a successful example of urban forestation, the architect explains, and the guiding factor of the project. Green rooftops, private patios and terraces interact with the building throughout, with the effect of reducing CO2 emissions and of acting as screen from the outside. Further features such as geothermal energy produced by ground water and built-in photovoltaic cells contribute to making the building smart.
The duplex penthouse's interiors were designed by architect Massimiliano Camoletto for Visionnaire Art Director, Eleonore Cavalli, as a quintessentially Milanese apartment, with pure volumes enriched by the natural light flowing in from outside. The space showcases a selection of furniture from Visionnaire, and collaborations with other Italian excellencies such as Viabbizzuno, Alpi and Ernestomeda.
RELATED STORY
Custom-built elements, including a mirrored modular bookcase and a staircase in metal and wood, further enrich the living area. Sleek designs by Mauro Lipparini, Alessandro La Spada, as well as younger talent such as Zanellato and Bortotto and Sara Ricciardi coexist in the space, a rich succession of minimalist forms and sophisticated accessories and materials. The living area extends onto a custom designed ‘bioclimatic greenhouse’ by Pratic, featuring Mediterranean plants that further amplify the connection to nature inside this Milanese urban oasis.
The living area is defined by bespoke elements such as the staircase in wood and metal (concealing storage solutions), and a sequence of Visionnaire’s Speyer mirrored bookcase modules
Outside the penthouse is a bioclimatic greenhouse by Pratic, featuring climbing plants and Mediterranean species such as olive and lemon trees, jasmine, roses, wisteria, camphor trees and maples
Another view of the impressive modular bookcase
Upstairs, a minimal fitness space joins the penthouse's two bedrooms
One of the bedrooms inside the Milanese apartment, designed as calming spaces with a muted colour palette
The kitchen was designed in collaboration with Ernestomeda, and is characterized by a metallized lacquer finish, smoke gray etched glass and Grigio Alpi stone
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
-
Green House crowned RIBA House of the Year 2023
RIBA House of the Year 2023 has been awarded to Green House in London by Hayhurst & Co
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Nifemi Marcus-Bello makes an impression at Design Miami 2023
Nifemi Marcus-Bello is out in force at Design Miami, with a wall sculpture and installation at the fair’s entrance, made possible by Hublot, and a solo booth with Marta Los Angeles
By Pei-Ru Keh Published
-
The Algarve welcomes Austa, an all-day kitchen in touch with its heritage
From breakfast to dinner, Austa embraces honest eating and local community
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Romanengo is Milan’s new sweet spot
Romanengo, the oldest Italian confectionery, opens its doors in Milan with interiors by Madrid-based architects Cousi Interiorismo
By Ifeoluwa Adedeji Published
-
Vipp Palazzo pop-up hotel opens inside Brescia’s historical Palazzo Monti
Scandi minimalism meets Baroque maximalism in Vipp Palazzo, a pop-up hotel by the Danish brand in the heart of Brescia
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
B&B Italia celebrates 15 years of outdoor furniture
From a woven design by Patricia Urquiola to an aeroplane-inspired collection by Piero Lissoni: we look back on exceptional B&B Italia outdoor furniture
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Michele De Lucchi unveils latest furniture design for Stellar Works
Italian designer Michele De Lucchi and Stellar Works present a new furniture collaboration consisting of a modular sofa with a floating silhouette that merges Italian and Japanese design sensibilities
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Last updated
-
Marble table pushes the boundaries of furniture manufacturing
The sinuous forms of Roberto Lazzeroni's Infinito table for Poltrona Frau are defined by a rare marble and an innovative design approach
By Alice Morby Last updated
-
Luigi Caccia Dominioni’s iconic chairs for Azucena get a chromatic update
Azucena and Serapian collaborate to instill new life into Luigi Caccia Dominioni's Catilina chair, a legendary design now updated with a distinctive leather mosaic motif
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
All aboard! Immersive design museum on a cruise ship celebrates Italian icons
The mobile museum is housed inside one of Italian company Costa Smeralda's cruiseship, featuring a selection of design icons and a futuristic set by Tihany Design
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Natuzzi and ByBorre's Mediterranean-inspired upholstery fabrics
Italian furniture company Natuzzi joined forces with Dutch textile innovator Borre Akkersdijk to create a collection of textile upholstery to complement Natuzzi furniture collections
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated