In this architectural project, surfaces play a key role. Terrae-Calce and Architop® by Ideal Work form a continuous textured finish that enhances the space while engaging with the building’s industrial past.
Located in via Niccolini 35, in Milan’s Sarpi district, the new headquarters of Fondazione Officine Saffi emerges as a cultural landmark. Designed by architect Donatella Melchiori in collaboration with Paloma Architects, the project renovated a 600-square-meter building that once housed an artistic glassworks at the end of the 1800s, later converted into a nursery. As a testament to its artisanal heritage, the striking glass-and-iron ceiling has been preserved and brought into dialogue with a minimalist and rigorous design.
The architectural layout creates a fluid system of exhibition, operational, and reception areas that revolve around a central courtyard. The design is driven by a principle of essentiality: every element—from materials to custom furniture—contributes to forming a neutral yet distinctive “shell” that elevates ceramic artworks without overpowering them.
For the vertical surfaces, the choice fell on Ideal Work’s Terrae-Calce, a finish that evokes the warmth and imperfect beauty of traditional craftsmanship. Its natural texture and luminosity create a vibrant backdrop that subtly interacts with the site’s historical legacy, evoking the atmosphere of old artisan workshops.
When it came to flooring, the challenge was twofold: to provide visual continuity across spaces with different functions and to ensure high performance in terms of foot traffic resistance. Architop® offered the ideal solution—a low-thickness cement finish that covers the entire area, from the exhibition gallery to the Officine Saffi Lab, from the entrance area to the bistrot, and even the artist-in-residence apartment. Architop® translates the site’s historic industrial aesthetic into a contemporary design language, offering a uniform and neutral base that visually unifies the project while complementing the interiors’ essential character.
The new headquarters of Fondazione Officine Saffi demonstrates how architecture and design can breathe new life into heritage sites, creating spaces that are both functional and full of meaning. Ideal Work’s Terrae-Calce and Architop® prove to be invaluable tools in shaping environments that speak the language of art, history, and innovation.
Date: 2025
Location: Milan
Designer: Donatella Melchiori, Paloma Architects
ph: Marco Zanta