«Forgotten Architecture”: «not a house” in the center of Milan

Welcome to the apartment that Ettore Sottsass Jr. designed for the artist Arnaldo Pomodoro in the mid-1960s. The space located on the top floor of a building in the center of Milan is still in perfect condition. Bianca Felicori, the founder of the Forgotten Architecture project, tells about the apartment.

“Забытая архитектура”: “не дом” в центре Милана

The project «Forgotten Architecture» appeared in 2019. His idea is to use digital technologies to explore the buildings of little-known architects. Also, «Forgotten Architecture» introduces users to not the most popular buildings of famous masters.

Originated as a Facebook group, the project eventually entered the program of the Triennale in Milan. Also, as part of the “Forgotten Architecture”, an architectural tour of Italy was created, a book was written and a documentary was filmed.

AD tells you about the house (rather, about “not a house”, because the customer wanted to get a place to work without the comfort of home), which Ettore Sottsass Jr. designed in the mid-1960s for his artist friend.

“Забытая архитектура”: “не дом” в центре Милана

Photo: Fabrizio Vatieri, Nicola Nunziata.

In 1966, the artist Arnaldo Pomodoro turned to Sottsass to renovate the apartments he had bought in a building in the center of Milan. The customer wanted to create a place to work and receive clients where there would be no homely atmosphere. According to Pomodoro’s idea, this space was supposed to reflect him as a professional. The architect, taking into account the artist’s requests, decided to create a place that would be devoid of bright colors and at the same time create an atmosphere of tranquility and warmth.

“Забытая архитектура”: “не дом” в центре Милана

Photo: Fabrizio Vatieri, Nicola Nunziata.

Sottsass focused on the form and materials. He designed a rosewood staircase that starts from the front door and leads to the bedroom. The staircase has become a full-fledged piece of furniture, because the architect made drawers, shelves and a wardrobe right in it. Also, a marble table of a cantilevered design, supported by two shelves, departs from the staircase.

“Забытая архитектура”: “не дом” в центре Милана

Photo: Fabrizio Vatieri, Nicola Nunziata.

Now all the surfaces of the room are covered with a complex system of white plastic panels. The exception was the entrance door, which is made of plaster with white marble chips. In addition to installing plastic panels on the walls and ceiling, the only innovation made by the current owner was the replacement of the old brown felt carpet with a polymer floor. A home library is located at the front door. It is made of the same panels as the walls and ceiling. In the library, white plastic alternates with inserts of perforated chrome sheet, behind which the speakers of the audio system located inside the bookcase are hidden. Sottsass used the same perforated sheet inserts in window openings to hide radiators.

“Забытая архитектура”: “не дом” в центре Милана

Photo: Fabrizio Vatieri, Nicola Nunziata.

While working on the design of windows, Sottsass implemented another interesting solution: instead of curtains, he used frosted glass. At the top of the space there is a “recreation room” (that’s what the customer and the architect called it), where the floor of gold tiles is still preserved, which refers us to the works of the artist Arnaldo Pomodoro. The only bathroom in the apartment is completely lined with white-gray granite.

“Забытая архитектура”: “не дом” в центре Милана

Photo: Fabrizio Vatieri, Nicola Nunziata.

This apartment is a forgotten but very well preserved gem of architecture in the center of Milan.

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