da Martino Restaurant
RGAstudio’s da Martino Restaurant in Milan masterfully transforms a historic space through the interplay of original arches, vibrant color contrasts, and reflective surfaces, enhancing both intimacy and architectural dialogue.
Located in an early 20th-century Milanese building, the “da Martino” restaurant unfolds along a narrow, elongated floor plan. The renovation project enhances this layout by emphasizing the sequence of original arches that mark the transition from the entrance to the dining room.
This architectural rhythm is accentuated by the contrast between the sand-colored lime plaster and the dark, wine-colored ceiling.
Within this path, the new volume dedicated to the kitchen and services stands out clearly. Its red color and intentionally lower height compared to the original arches create a balanced contrast, while maintaining a formal dialogue through door openings that echo the arch theme.
The perception of space is expanded through large mirrors integrated into the wood paneling and reflections from colored glass tables, which maximize the limited natural light. The lighting design is developed on two levels: a series of conical lamps provides targeted light over the
tables, while small adjustable spotlights highlight the canvases displayed above the paneling line.
Design: RGAstudio
Photography: Michele Nastasi
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