The 1970s spawned both conversation pits and Brutalist architecture—and in a central district of Milan, Nick Maltese and Federico Pagetti of Nick Maltese Studio have allowed them both to co-exist, in a nearly achromatic, four-story home for an art collector. Stripping Brutalism down to a design philosophy where minimalism speaks volumes, the studio has crafted a space that brings both rigor and whimsy to a setting for everyday living and high-concept private events.
The project’s material palette interprets the Brutalist architectural style through an almost bespoke approach: exposed concrete, board-formed finishes, and industrial stainless steel create an intense and tactile atmosphere. Three above-ground floors and a basement are anchored by a strong vertical axis—a sculptural black metal staircase custom-designed by the studio traverses the entire home, defining views at each level.
On the ground floor, a double-height living area with a handcrafted metalwork mezzanine serves as the heart of the home. The kitchen, clad in gleaming stainless steel, echoes the precision of professional hospitality environments. Nearby, a dining table made entirely of concrete flashes the raw rebar that makes up its structure beneath. These brazen moments of exposed rebar are found in nooks and corners throughout the residence.
The focal point of the ground floor is a contemporary reinterpretation of the conversation pit: the sunken area defined by soft volumes, inviting interaction and slowing the rhythm of domestic life. All around, the client’s incredibly eclectic contemporary art collection offers bursts of color that break up the home’s deep sense of discipline. The pieces seemingly float along stone-washed walls (including a life-size hazmat suit sculpture leaning against a corner).
In the innermost quarters of the residence is the introspective and sensory basement, which houses a private wellness area complete with a counter-current swimming pool, sauna, and hammam.
As experienced practitioners in the design and fashion space, Maltese and Pagetti know how to redefine luxury—and here, it is the expressive, raw power of materials that trumps conventional excess. A savvy host’s dream, the Milanese residence unapologetically characterizes what its designers boldly call the “courage of subtraction.”
Photography by Simone Nicolaci.
