Architect Piermattia Cribiori and the Atelierzero team turned a former office in Milan’s Lambrate district into a 45 sqm loft‑style home they call Abode 67, adding a 10 sqm mezzanine to create a compact yet flexible living space.
Removing walls to open up the floor plan
The original layout consisted of two workrooms, a bathroom and a small storage area, separated by partitions that blocked light from the large industrial windows. A dropped ceiling further concealed the true height of the rooms, leaving the interior feeling dark and cramped. During the renovation, the architects stripped away all internal walls, revealing a brighter volume that lets natural light spill deeper into the space.
Instead of rebuilding new walls, the team organized the open plan around a series of strategic interventions. The central element is a multifunctional cube clad in pleated red travertine slabs. This sculptural block supports the mezzanine bedroom above and houses storage cupboards, a refrigerator, the entry to a walk‑in wardrobe, and access to the bathroom. By concentrating these functions in one place, designers avoided scattering appliances across the floor plan, which helps keep the living area uncluttered.
Curtains, lighting and colour define zones
A full‑height curtain made of deep‑red fabric can be drawn to hide the linear kitchen when it’s not in use. The move creates a calm lounge‑like atmosphere, useful for client meetings or informal gatherings. The curtain’s hue mirrors the travertine cube, tying the two features together while adding softness to the industrial aesthetic.
Overhead, a custom zig‑zag pendant designed by the studio under the DeRerum label turns the necessary cable run into a visual accent. The cable runs from the wall, snakes across the ceiling, and ends at a polished steel disc that reflects surrounding colours. This simple intervention subtly zones the dining area without erecting a solid barrier.
The bathroom takes a bold departure from the restrained palette of the rest of the loft. Every surface—walls, floor, fixtures and cabinetry—is finished in a saturated red, creating a cinematic atmosphere that adopts the lack of natural light.
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Furniture and plants provide the final layer of zoning. A low metal bookshelf placed back‑to‑back with the sofa forms a gentle boundary between the living room and the rest of the open space. A tall plant and a few curated objects reinforce this soft transition, guiding movement while preserving sightlines.
These interventions collectively demonstrate how a modest footprint can feel both open and richly layered.
From a broader perspective, the project illustrates a growing trend in dense urban environments where designers prioritize flexibility over rigid room definitions. By using movable elements like curtains and modular furniture, the space adapts to multiple functions—home, office, showroom—without sacrificing visual cohesion. This approach aligns with the increasing demand for living areas that can shift quickly between private and public uses, a need that many compact apartments in European city centers now share.
Atelierzero’s work on Abode 67 showcases a careful balance of material contrast—travertine stone, velvet fabric, polished steel—and a thoughtful arrangement of zones that respect the loft’s original industrial character while injecting warmth and personality.
It feels both intimate and expansive.
