RENOVATION PROJECT

Private urban villa – Washington Milan

Goldmann & Partners Private urban villa Washington Milan

This project, executed on the structural shell of a building under reconstruction, involves a prestigious triplex residence with a private garden. The layout comprises a double living room with a dining area and open-plan kitchen, two bedrooms, a study, two walk-in closets, and two bathrooms on the upper floor, complemented by a guest powder room on the living level. The basement features a laundry and ironing room, a bespoke wine cellar for fine vintages, versatile storage spaces, and two garages.

Sustainable Elegance: A Bioclimatic Interior Design Project

The renovation was guided by the core principles of bioclimatic architecture, expertly adapted to a standard residential context. The primary objective was to overcome the thermal and energy limitations of the original structure. Through strategic interventions, we significantly enhanced the interior’s passive performance, ensuring exceptional comfort in both summer and winter while minimizing reliance on mechanical systems.
Designed by Goldmann & Partners, the bioarchitecture and interior design were executed by the building’s primary contractors. This required constant supervision and rigorous technical audits throughout the three-year construction period.

KEY ARCHITECTURAL INTERVENTIONS

Interior Distribution The original layout was radically reimagined to prioritize space and functionality. We created two spacious bedrooms, each featuring a walk-in closet and an en-suite bathroom. Overlooking the living area, a dramatic mezzanine houses the study, complete with extensive recessed libraries and additional cabinetry. The basement was optimized to include a dedicated wine cellar and a high-performance laundry room, equipped with an independent extraction system and elegantly concealed behind a mirrored partition. Every space, including the garden, was proportioned according to the Golden Ratio using proprietary protocols from the IRCAS Study Centre (Goldmann & Partners), ensuring a profound sense of ergonomic well-being for the inhabitants.

Wall Finishes & Health Health was paramount: all plasters and structural slabs were screened for radioactivity. Walls were finished with eco-friendly, water-soluble white paints. Three distinct shades of white were selected based on each room’s exposure to balance natural light and optimize the chronobiological response and human comfort.

Glazing & Performance The expansive living room windows are fitted with 3M Prestige Series selective films to reduce solar heat gain, while 3M Fasara (Safu finish) films were applied to the entrance and kitchen doors to ensure privacy without sacrificing light.

Natural Climate Control The spatial distribution was validated through 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to ensure optimal natural air circulation when windows are open, creating a self-regulating indoor climate.

Bespoke Flooring The living area features a world-first prototype floor by Listone Giordano. Its unique graphite finish offers an infinite spectrum of grey tones and boasts powerful sanitizing properties. This finish is also UV-resistant, ensuring color integrity over time. The installation used ECOLFIT eco-friendly silane adhesive, and the wood is treated with Oleonature—a natural air-dried oil finish—and Cristalcare antibacterial protection. The entire home is strictly free from toxic glues and solvents.

The Staircase A centerpiece of the home, the staircase is clad in natural iron and finished exclusively with beeswax, avoiding any chemical acids. This preserves the metal’s authentic hue while allowing for a subtle, sophisticated marbling effect.

Bathrooms The bathrooms feature natural single-fired tiles harmonized with floor resins. The sinks and bathtub are crafted from Antonio Lupi’s Cristalmood—a transparent, high-gloss colored resin—paired with Gessi Via Manzoni matte black fixtures. The wall ceramics also act as thermal accumulators, reducing the energy needed for heating.

Acoustics & Shielding To ensure absolute privacy, the party wall was enhanced with a double layer of acoustic gypsum, covering all structural elements (69 sqm) for total soundproofing. Furthermore, the electrical system is shielded by Faraday cages to eliminate magnetic fields and reduce energy consumption.

Lighting Design The lighting system features a variable color temperature (2700K to 3000K) designed to synchronize with the body’s circadian rhythms, ensuring a seamless transition between natural and artificial light.

The “Telescope” Study The cantilevered study (the Cannocchiale) was handcrafted by Tuscan artisans. Lined in gilded brass with a wooden core to dampen vibrations, it offers an acoustically perfect sanctuary.

The Architectural Garden Designed by Sophia Los (SOL Studio), the garden sits atop a garage roof with strict weight limits (600 kg/sqm). To overcome these constraints, we designed a “lightweight” garden—a raised, hollow structure with greenery placed strategically along the perimeter. Inspired by the Venetian works of Carlo Scarpa, the design uses architectural elements to expand the perception of space. An angled wall creates a perspective illusion, making the 7-meter-wide garden appear significantly deeper. Native plant species were meticulously selected to thrive in this specific microclimate, ensuring year-round beauty and sustainability.