Hotel Focus - Urban Hive, Milan
In the heart of Milan’s Brera district, architectural maestros Tiziano Vudafieri and Claudio Saverino unveil Urban Hive Milan, a contemporary four-star hotel .
Words By Toby Maxwell
ARCHITECTURAL firm Vudafieri-Saverino Partners has completed Urban Hive Milan, a four-star hotel that aims to position itself as a hybrid, mixed-use space that meets the needs of international visitor of all kinds.
Located along the iconic Corso Garibaldi in the city’s creative Brera district, the redevelopment saw the creation of all common areas and 97 rooms and suites spread over seven floors. Tiziano Vudafieri and Claudio Saverino’s concept aims to give life to an inviting, informal space where elements of Milan’s past coexist with its modern spirit. The choices for the interiors and soft decoration add a contemporary edge to traditional Milanese design. As a result, the Urban Hive was conceived as a dynamic yet intimate social hub, and includes services open to the public as well as hotel guests. Examples include co-working spaces, meeting rooms, cultural events, business lunches, and aperitivos at the in-house Portico84 Café and Bar.
The architects selected three palettes – terracotta pink, mint green and light blue – which alternate on the guest room floors. Each of these colours creates a contrast with the Prussian blue, Persian orange and amber yellow curtains by Dedar. The furniture was also designed by the architects, and made by Concreta, including the beds, wooden headboards with metal inserts, bedside tables, bookcases and shelves.
The interiors also feature hints of Milan’s iconic symbols, geometric carpet with a vintage flavour in the corridors, and matching surfaces and coverings. The net result, together with the design of the rooms, is intended to reflect the city’s two sides – the world of business and its famed creative flair.
Concreta’s work in the common areas included colourful sofas, light-oak wood flooring, soft lights, wooden bookcases, pop art elements, motifs and illustrations, with all the communal spaces defined by a striking shade of peacock blue.
The lobby has been transformed into a welcoming space where guests and locals can meet for business, a cocktail, or coffee at the bar, where the highlight is a semi-circular Canaletto walnut counter with a marble countertop, brass finishes and lozenge motifs in the same hue as the walls.
Vudafieri-Saverino Partners’ goal was to create a facility that fitted into the surroundings and offers a new window into the heart of Milan, enabling travellers to enjoy experiences and feel part of the local community through architecture and design. www.vudafierisaverino.it
