In the green setting of Milan’s eastern outskirts, along the Naviglio canal, stands a detached family house arranged over two floors.
The residence occupies the ground floor of the building and is organized into two distinct functional areas: the living area — a sequence of dynamic and flexible spaces overlooking the entrance terrace — and the sleeping area, composed of two bedrooms with bathrooms, oriented more intimately toward the inner courtyard.

The clients’ wish was to create a bright and connected living environment where the kitchen and living room could engage in dialogue while still maintaining a degree of independence. To achieve this, the design introduced a green lacquered volume at the entrance, housing a coat closet on one side and the kitchen columns on the other. This element becomes the defining focal point of the living area, generating a fluid space around which one can move freely, and from which the main functions of the living and dining areas, as well as the kitchen, develop.

The entrance thus acts as a transitional filter space between the two main areas, perceptually separating them while keeping them visually connected. Moreover, the built-in volume defines two visual axes that allow light to pass through from the large window above the kitchen.

PHOTOS BY Nicolò Panzeri

PHOTOS BY Nicolò Panzeri

PHOTOS BY Nicolò Panzeri

PHOTOS BY Nicolò Panzeri

PHOTOS BY Nicolò Panzeri

PHOTOS BY Nicolò Panzeri

PHOTOS BY Nicolò Panzeri

PHOTOS BY Nicolò Panzeri

PHOTOS BY Nicolò Panzeri

The decision to place the counter directly beneath the window opening — completely eliminating overhead cabinets — emphasizes the presence of the window and allows for a pleasant view of the surrounding greenery while using the kitchen. Transforming an additional window into a French door provides convenient access to the entrance terrace, which was expanded to enhance usability, thereby strengthening the visual connection with the natural surroundings.

Light becomes the protagonist of the shared spaces, while the sequential layout of the interiors and their relationship with the outdoors amplify the perception of visual continuity.

Material choices focused on warm tones and natural finishes to create a refined and relaxing atmosphere: from the oak plank flooring, to the Belize marble used for the large monolithic kitchen island, to the custom-made wooden furniture in the living area. The same attention to material quality is found in the bathrooms: large-format stone-effect tiles evoke natural textures, lending an intimate and soothing character. In particular, the en-suite bathroom features a spacious shower in darker tones, illuminated by a cone of light from a circular skylight that diffuses a soft, enveloping glow.

For the furnishings, cooler colors and modern materials were chosen: the steel coffee table in the living room, aluminum and PVC dining chairs, and the purple rug that creates a vibrant contrast with the green volume at the entrance.