wooden surfaces embrace renovated apartment by cntextual in italian courtyard building

Cntextual revives early 20th-century apartment in Italy

Cntextual revitalizes an apartment in a late 19th to early 20th-century courtyard building on the former site of Porta San Biagio, a historic gate that once marked the transition between the urban core of Monza, Italy, and its surroundings. The project reinterprets the historical role of the building as a threshold, now mediating between internal and external spaces on a domestic scale. By focusing on the concept of the threshold, the design transforms the spatial dynamics of the apartment, emphasizing the transition between the public and private realms. The material palette complements the rationalized spatial organization, using warm tones of the exposed wooden beams, Canaletto walnut closets, and oak flooring to create a cohesive environment. Sliding pocket doors at key thresholds allow for flexible transitions between spaces, while the overall design balances the old and new.

all images by cntextual, courtesy of Francesca Iovene

Porta San Biagio Apartment showcases adaptability solutions

The design of the Porta San Biagio Apartment operates within a two-room space characterized by three structural spans. Cntextual removed the false ceiling to reveal the original wooden beams, restoring the apartment’s historical character. The existing bathroom and kitchen were also demolished to enhance spatial continuity and optimize the layout. Key to the design is a new closet border that runs along the wall adjacent to the courtyard, thickening it to reinforce the division between inside and outside. This border integrates functional elements like a bathroom, kitchen, and storage while maintaining a clear spatial hierarchy. The Italian studio’s design actions also include the creation of a flexible plan that anticipates future changes, such as converting the dining area into an additional bedroom. This adaptability is subtly suggested through the rhythmic division of the closet border, which currently serves as a study. The entrance space, where the continuity of the closet border is deliberately interrupted, acts as a transition zone. Lowered to a height of 2.10 meters and illuminated by filtered light from an existing fanlight, this area accentuates the passage between the collective courtyard and the private interior.

exposed wooden beams bring warmth to the modernized apartment

the restored beams serve as a focal point in the revitalized living area

sliding pocket doors ensure transitions between interconnected spaces

the entrance corridor, with its lowered ceiling, creates an intimate threshold

Cntextual’s design redefines spatial boundaries with a sleek closet border

Canaletto walnut cabinetry adds to the minimalist interior

oak flooring ties together the natural color palette

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open floor plan allows for a fluid connection between the living room and kitchen

the kitchen area is integrated into the overall design

carefully placed lighting enhances the apartment’s architectural features

clever storage solutions maximize functionality

the thickened wall adjacent to the courtyard serves as a functional and symbolic divider

cntextual’s design introduces modern functionality while respecting the apartment’s roots

carefully chosen materials create a cohesive environment

the apartment’s adaptable layout allows for easy reconfiguration to meet future needs

filtered light from the fanlight softens the threshold area

the design aims to maximize the apartment’s potential

cntextual merges old and new through thoughtful material choices and spatial planning

restored wooden beams highlight the building’s historical character

the rhythmic division of the closet hints at future adaptability within the apartment’s layout

project info:

name: Porta San Biagio Apartment
architect: cntextual | @cntextual
design team: Nicolò Mariani, Christian Spolti
location: Monza, Italy
structures: Studio Ingegneria Lambro 
installations: Polistudio | @polistudioaes
custom-made furniture: Arredo90 snc 
flooring/finishes: Casiraghi parquet srl
photographer: Francesca Iovene | @francescaiovene

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edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom