FACTORY FINISH
Architect Mia Buzzi used unusual textures and bespoke design when she converted a derelict industrial unit into a warm and welcoming home
An industrial-style decor was the ideal choice when it came to the conversion of an abandoned concrete workshop in Milan
Until a decade ago, architect Mia Buzzi’s beautiful house was a deserted old concrete factory in downtown Milan. ‘When I first saw the property, it had been abandoned for 50 years,’ she says. ‘Although it was decaying, the beams, trusses, skylights, granite columns and some of the beautiful cast iron tie-rods were still intact.’ Many people would not have seen the attraction of this empty space, but Mia knew its potential. ‘It was the ideal spot for my long-held dream of a home with a real lawn, open-plan spaces and large windows,’ she says.
From a planning perspective, Mia’s greatest worry was how to preserve the flow of the space, which she did by incorporating the sitting room, dining room and kitchen on the ground floor. A
wooden stairwell – twice the usual width and made of larch wood and acidulated steel – rises dramatically from the sitting room to connect with the first floor. Mia preserved the original roofing with beams and tie-rods, creating an impressive double-height ceiling. ‘I wanted to be able to take in the whole house at a glance,’ she says.
But the project was not without its challenges. ‘Because the building had been a factory, the major issue was to transform it into a house, in accordance with Italian planning law,’ says Mia. ‘It was complicated, but work eventually got underway.’ The two-year project included the conversion from industrial unit to residential property, as well as a total interior renovation. This involved removing part of the roof to reposition the windows at the front, and the creation of a small, private terrace on the first floor. Upstairs, both bedrooms have small balconies and the windows look out onto the well-tended garden. ‘Natural light means everything to me – it’s fundamental to living,’ says Mia.
It would have been easy for the large space to feel cold and unwelcoming, but Mia’s industrial-style decor, mixing chunky recycled wood, galvanised steel and lights hanging at intimate levels, means the former factory feels cosy and warm. Flea-market finds mix together, creating a timeless, balanced look. Neutral black, white and grey shades and natural fabrics bring a relaxed feel to the space, mixed with souvenirs from trips abroad and inherited pieces.
Even with the work finished, Mia likes to make regular updates to further refine the property. ‘My home is different, as it’s quiet, green and I don’t feel as if I live in the city,’ she says. ‘I love the roof structure and the large wooden beams, industrial-style windows, and the volume of the space –it’s the perfect home for me.’