Ciao Milano
Italian elegance takes centre stage in Frankfurt's newest office interiors
Few countries have mastered the art of design and furnishing with such sophistication as Italy, and Milan stands as the undisputed design capital. The clients of schöne räume architektur innenarchitektur envisioned their Frankfurt offices with a distinctly Milanese character—refined, elegant, and timelessly sophisticated. Since the office space spans two additional floors of an existing building, the architects encountered numerous irregular wall angles during planning, much like the original structure itself. To address this challenge creatively, the interior designers strategically used finishing details and flooring solutions to visually harmonize the spaces.
The "Milanese aesthetic" emerges through a refined architectural language, carefully selected wall panelling, luxurious textures, and a warm colour palette. Veneered and stained wooden wall panels—both smooth and with linear detailing—evoke the sophisticated essence of a Milan office. Natural materials like Belgian bluestone with its milled surface complement timeless elegance: leather and velvet upholstery define the seating. A strikingly laid diagonal oak floor that gracefully accommodates the room's irregular geometry brings understated sophistication to every space. The interior designers crafted the floor plan to precisely match the client's needs: executive offices, an administration area, an open-plan workspace, a lounge, and a meeting room. "We then developed a comprehensive materials and finishing strategy," explains Ralf Böckle. "Each wall elevation was meticulously documented to resolve details—from wall junctions to finishes—and to establish proper proportions."
The lighting design parallels the interior architecture. Rather than uniform illumination, strategic lighting accents enhance the atmosphere, reinforcing the character of each space. From conception to completion, this slice of Milan took shape in Frankfurt over approximately nine months.
Photography:
Wolfgang Stahr
www.wolfgangstahr.de
(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 02|24)
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