Geophony
Group Project - Max Park, Greta Mellaro, Veronica Piunti, Candido Augusto Savarese and Mirko SpinelliThis project turned the regeneration of Villa Arconati’s borgo (Italian for old town) into a multi-generational co-living and co-working complex, exploring a blue-sky yet overtly tangible approach to how we might live and work.
Originally a rural property in the 13th century, the propery was purchased by the Arconati family in the late 16th century.
After changing ownership, the villa underwent significant transformation, exemplifying the Baroque style flourishing across Europe at the time.
Galezzo Arconati, responsible for the villas transformation, was a great patron of the arts and sciences. As such, the villa became a hub for artistic and intellectual gatherings. It was equally known for its beuatifully kept gardens as well as expansive farm land and forest, a stark contrast to the green yet built-up Milan.
When designing the space, we wanted to honour the cultural heritage of Villa Arconati whilst responding to modern workers desire for a break from city life, as well as encorporating nature into the design through a domed structure in a dilapidated corner of the borgo, which was the focal point of our work. Throughout the project we made several trips site visits to experience the borgo in different weather and seasons.
My individual contribution to the project was through the design of a modular furniture system which reflected this fluid shared space.
The modular stool “Aether” is the fifth element that completes the system of the natural order. Thanks to his different configurations, it can be used whenever and wherever, and modules can slot into the table system “Elements”.
The table system “Elements” takes inpiration from the universal movement of the planets in the Solar System, and from the Aristotele’s theory of the elements: fuoco (fire), aria (air),water (acqua) and terra (earth).