A peaceful getaway overlooking Milan’s Cathedral

in the heart of Gibraltar’s historic center. The back of the structure is adjacent to the remains of the original city walls and defensive towers. The front faces Grand Casemates Square, a lively public square with outdoor restaurants and cafes. The historical significance of this emblematic context was not particularly appreciated by the community who wanted a new use for it, both within the realm Xapo’s design and possible social uses. The company spaces cover two arched bays of the barracks complex, a total of 800 square meters, built in local limestone and ceilings supported by original wooden beams. The stone beams and walls have been cleaned and restored to their natural condition, making for an atmosphere like an ancient bank vault. The Lagranja firm started from a creative cross-pollination between archeology and modern design, designing the interiors with a

contemporary office layout and furniture and accessories made with digital processes. This itself is a metaphor, alluding to the rapid, technological change of the banking and currency systems. The element of surprise clearly guides the interior design scheme along with respect for the structure’s age. The walkway to the reception area is flanked on both sides by shallow pools of water and continuous lighting, compensating for the structure’s low height and little natural light. At night, laser beams criss-cross the swimming pools and the reception area, making the installation visible from the outside square. Entering through the stone arches, the ‘bank’ takes physical shape through a series of automatic tellers where clients can manage their cybercurrency transactions. Behind this is a meeting room with kitchenette and lounge area. On the far end, a walled patio opens up, originally and gunpowder warehouse, which is surrounded by the office, divided by glass screens. Many of the bespoke furnishings were 3D printed in Barcelona with corn-based bio plastic. Modular shapes were chosen with a slightly structured appearance to help create a sense of community and a casual narrative featuring harmonious spaces using shared palette of warm tones.

Owner: Xapo Architectural & Interior design: LaGranja Design Lighting consultant: reMM Furnishings: Haworth, LaGranja Collection, Noumena, custom made by 3D printing and solid oak envelope Lighting: LaGranja Collection Flooring: Marazzi

Author: Antonella Mazzola Photo credits: courtesy of LaGranja Design

Amabilia Suites are on Milan’s famous square, offering a new kind of hospitality made of non-ostentatious, tailor-made luxury, the work of the interior designer Federico Peri. A joint project with Brera Apartments

The location could not be more prime. The four independent suites, set in a 19thcentury residence, overlook the Milan Cathedral, showing us the way to a new frontier of luxury hospitality. On the top floor of the recently restored Palazzo Carminati, Amabilia Private Suites feature a refined design of well-balanced neutral colors. They are the first actualization of a format conceived by Chiara Morgante, the owner and businesswoman. It will be coming soon to Venice and other Italian cities. An agreement has been formed with Brera Apartments, which will be in charge of the hospitality, managed by HotelSolutions, a strategic revenue management company, the first to implement the ‘dispersed hotel’ experience in Milan. “I immediately saw the enormous potential of a location like that of Amabilia Suites,” says Paolo Catoni,

CEO of HotelSolutions. “It literally goes straight to the collective imagination of a high-end international clientele as a coveted, intimate, familiar place to stay in Milan, giving them a different experience than that of a luxury hotel. We worked with Chiara Morgante to heighten the sense of feeling at home.” Morgante is eager to make clear that “Amabilia is not an apartment converted into a suite, but a luxury suite project designed and fine-tuned to provide excellent comfort in a charming residence. Nothing has been left to chance, including the room’s acoustic soundproofing of the rooms, 40-decibel doors, the humidification system that keeps the air perfect, the size of the beds and showers, the arrangement of the switches and sockets, and the cards to open the doors. All was planned and designed down to the last detail, drawing on the invaluable consulting and suggestions of Paolo Catoni.” The interior design of Federico Peri helped make this a unique experience, recreating the elegant atmosphere of a home in the heart of Italy’s fashion capital. The interior designer carefully maintained the original architectural design’s appeal and graced the interiors with sophisticated details and finishes. He mixed contemporary touches and elements of historical value