RESIDENZA RISORGIMENTO
A Signature Interior: Milan Meets Moreni’s Art
In the heart of Milan’s Risorgimento district, on the upper floors of an elegant period building, Residenza Risorgimento comes to life: a project by AB Studio Architettura, under the artistic direction of architect Jacopo Bonini. This is not simply a renovation, but a true rebirth: a classical space reinterpreted through a contemporary language that is bold, refined, and deeply distinctive.
A Historic Shell, a New Soul
The project involved the complete demolition of the original layout, the full redefinition of the spaces, the reconstruction of the finishes, and the comprehensive renewal of the systems.
The architectural shell — typical of early twentieth-century Milan — underwent a carefully considered conservative restoration, while the interiors were designed with a distinctly contemporary character. The dialogue between past and present is clear, almost programmatic: the classical nature of the envelope becomes a theatrical backdrop for contemporary furnishings that do not seek compromise, but clearly define the identity of the place.
The Legacy of Mattia Moreni
The owners, a young couple originally from Emilia, bring an extraordinary element into the home: the wife is the granddaughter of artist Mattia Moreni, a leading figure of the second half of the Italian twentieth century, known for his post-Cubist and abstract works.
Many of the artworks displayed throughout the home are by Moreni himself, creating a direct dialogue between art and architecture.
The renovation coincided with a particularly significant moment for the artist: the major retrospective currently taking place at MAMbo in Bologna until 31 May 2026, as well as five travelling exhibitions promoted by the Emilia-Romagna Region, with an exhibition project curated by Claudio Spadoni. The home thus becomes not only a living space, but also a place of memory and cultural continuity.
Kitchen and Dining Area: Materiality and Contrasts
The kitchen is dominated by a magnificent natural steel niche, a sculptural element that frames the working area. The lacquered doors interact with the metallic materiality, creating a sophisticated balance between reflections and matte surfaces. The dining area is defined by an imposing and vibrant Rosso Levanto marble table, paired with a black-stained bench. All the furnishings are custom-designed by architect Bonini, underscoring the desire for complete control over the project and stylistic coherence.
The Living Room: Passageways and Perspectives
The living room is characterized by a black lacquered wood bookcase with iron shelves that transform into true passage portals leading toward the dining area.
On the opposite side of the living room, two twin, symmetrical openings lead respectively to the study — also designed to accommodate guests — and to the master sleeping area.
The project plays with symmetry, thresholds, and the perspectival perception of space, creating a sense of movement that is fluid yet always measured.
The Master Area: A Scenic Journey
Access to the sleeping area is a carefully choreographed spatial experience: one passes through a walk-in wardrobe made entirely to measure in glossy green fluted wood.
The surfaces conceal camouflaged passageways, giving the entrance an almost theatrical quality. The bright green interacts with the artworks on display and with the bold chromatic choices that define the entire apartment.
The bedroom then opens onto an en suite bathroom, where a full-height mirror expands the perception of space, while Carrara marble reaffirms the classical nature of the setting.
Intimacy and Memory: Thea’s Room
The second bedroom is dedicated to newborn Thea: a cozy, intimate space conceived as a domestic refuge with a softer character, yet still fully consistent with the overall language of the home.
The guest bathroom, by contrast, becomes a place for material experimentation: Italian herringbone stained parquet — the common thread running throughout the entire residence — a terrazzo marble shower, and a custom-designed washbasin in steel and Ferrari red lacquer, with Modena yellow interiors.
This is an explicit homage to the owner’s hometown, introducing a strong and deeply personal identity element.
A Project of Identity
Residenza Risorgimento is a project built on carefully calibrated contrasts: classical and contemporary, rigor and color, memory and innovation.
It is a home that does not merely host works of art, but absorbs their energy and translates it into architecture.
A space in which design language becomes a family, cultural, and generational narrative.
