1920s Vertical Loft With Modern And Airy Interiors

This vertical loft was built between 1920 and 1924 and redesigned and renovated recently

This vertical loft was built between 1920 and 1924 and redesigned and renovated recently.

Westway Architects, in collaboration with Stefano Pavia, turned a railway workers housing building into a vertical loft in Milan. The exterior, which has been maintained, looks to be built sometime between 1920 and 1924, while the interior has dramatically changed. Inside, the building was gutted and had to be rebuilt, from the foundation, roof, attic, internal insulation, mechanical systems, and layouts. By changing up the floor plans, they gained 60 square meters of space by moving staircase, adding new floor slabs, and renovating the attic.

One of the main things the architects were excited to tackle was to design an M.C. Escher-like staircase, which the homeowner allowed. After gutting the interior horizontally and vertically, they created a structurally autonomous center core that pans five floors. Each of those floors is connected by two separate staircases that are positioned along the longitudinal load-bearing walls.

The staircases are single flight and very narrow, zig zagging from the basement to the fourth floor, connecting the fitness area, dining and kitchen area, living room, bedroom, and study. There’s a terrace, which is connected with the kitchen through a glass door.

The retro exterior and modern interior contrast with each other very much, and the inner décor is somewhat Scandinavian and modern. Though the spaces are rather small, such a combo of styles and colors make them look bigger and very comfortable. Every room is decorated at its best considering all the special features of every space: maximizing the light, adding glass inserts or walls to make the limits boundless and connect the spaces.

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The floors are kept relatively open to visually increase how the space looks.

The floors are kept relatively open to visually increase how the space looks.

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The interiors are a mixture of modern and Scandinavian styles, they keep the spaces airy and comfy.

The interiors are a mixture of modern and Scandinavian styles, they keep the spaces airy and comfy.

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The design successfully solved the problem of a vertical loft with a small footing.

The design successfully solved the problem of a vertical loft with a small footing.

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Transparent insertsconnect the spaces and bring more light to each floor.

Transparent insertsconnect the spaces and bring more light to each floor.

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Glass and wood are widely used throughout the loft, and give it a modern yet very cozy look.

Glass and wood are widely used throughout the loft, and give it a modern yet very cozy look.

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The kitchen has a glass door that can be opened to the outdoor terrace to enjoy the fresh air.

The kitchen has a glass door that can be opened to the outdoor terrace to enjoy the fresh air.

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Look how much light there's in, this is what makes the rooms so inviting.

Look how much light there's in, this is what makes the rooms so inviting.

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Even the attic space was smartly used and decorated with mid-century modern furniture, attic windows bring much light in.

Even the attic space was smartly used and decorated with mid-century modern furniture, attic windows bring much light in.

Source: design-milk