Carlo Donati Studio has renovated a 350-square-metre apartment, called Time Capsule, located in Milan’s Brera district. Completed in 2022, the design incorporates elements inspired by figures such as Jean Prouvé and references the aesthetic codes of postwar Milan. The interiors feature a mix of materials, geometric shapes, and art pieces, including a graffiti by British artist Stik, emphasising a richly layered, unconventional residential space.
Inspired by Iconic Designs and Artistic Influences
In the Brera district of Milan, Carlo Donati Studio has completed a renovation of an apartment that spans 350 square meters (3,767 square feet). Named Time Capsule, the interiors are inspired by various design classics and the aesthetic of postwar Milan.
The project draws from Jean Prouvé’s facade systems for round windows, Piero Portaluppi’s textural richness and other design icons of the past, street art and graffiti, optical space age influences, as well as contemporary design nuances.
An accompanying soundtrack for the renovation, according to Donati, is Prince’s “Sign O’ The Times.” This track’s condensation of rhythm and themes of time allude to the fusion and organization of aesthetic codes meticulously curated in the apartment.
The ambience of the apartment is like a palimpsest, presenting an intricate mix of textures, layers, and designs. At the entrance, a floor design plays with colors and materials including Burgundy Green, Perlino Pink, Sahara Noir, and Light Travertine marble.
Small circular and oval copper profiled openings punctuate walnut walls with reeded effects. One of these openings, with a graffito by British artist Stik, introduces the owner’s art collection housed within a custom full-height bookcase.
To the right of the entrance is the living area that connects to an outdoor garden terrace, while the left side reveals an intimate, private sleeping area hidden behind the boiserie.
The living area showcases a rich interplay of artistic works, soft curtains, and features like Eero Saarinen’s iconic table. Vaulted ceilings create rhythm and a three-dimensional effect, while a curved wall in glossy lacquered green wood alternates with sections of reeded walnut, bordered by a porthole to delineate the kitchen.
The area features a natural travertine floor laid in large slabs, which seamlessly transitions into the private rooms. Curved sofas in two colors, symbolizing female and male energies of the house, face each other.
In the master suite, the man/woman motif continues with design solutions that convey specific identities yet are bound by a common theme. A glass-walled walk-in shower separates the spaces, extending the materials and moodboard established by Donati throughout the apartment.
Copper details, Verde Borgogna marble for the male area, and Rosa Perlino for the female side are utilized. Additionally, an Antrax IT Serie T radiator in white, designed by Matteo Thun & Antonio Rodriguez, installed horizontally, serves as a functional aesthetic element.
These materials and features reflect Donati’s meticulous attention to details and custom-designed elements, consistent throughout Time Capsule. Every design aspect was carefully tailored to perfectly fit the unique resonance of the residence.
