第五堵墙丨意大利米兰丨Studio Arkevo

In Milan, Italy, a 1930s apartment has been updated by Milanese practice Studio Arkevo. Completed in 2024, the renovations feature color-soaked ceilings and contemporary elements to infuse it with character and create an intriguing backdrop for art. White walls provide the perfect canvas for the young couple’s collection of sculptures and prints. Molded ceilings and wooden frames around windows were maintained, adding warmth and tactility to the space.

Conceptual design and restoration

The 5th Wall, an apartment designed by Studio Arkevo, is located in the heart of Milan, in a 1930s building that has several architectural elements of historical importance. The project represents a fusion between a conservative approach and an innovative attitude. Key features, such as the high plaster ceilings, the wooden floors characteristic of historic Milanese houses and the wooden door and window frames, have been conserved and enhanced through the unbridled use of color and custom furniture design.

Bringing Back the Fifth Wall

As the name suggests, The 5th Wall aims to reinterpret the traditional practice of painting the walls of a room, focusing on colored ceilings and white walls. This idea pays homage to historical interiors, where large rooms featured magnificent, colorful ceilings, with the walls serving as a backdrop for paintings, statues and ornaments. This project is not about reinventing the wheel, but about revisiting the elegant noble houses of the early 20th century, while respecting the conservative principles at the heart of the design.

Complementation and contrast of space

The interior space can visually expand or contract depending on the color tones used for the ceiling, which reflect light through light tones or accentuate the play of shadows through darker tones. Colored ceilings serve not only to decorate and infuse color into the room, but also to significantly alter spatial perception. On the blank white walls, the clients’ passionate collection of art, sculptures, canvases and prints finds its place.

With The 5th Wall, Studio Arkevo manages to preserve historical elements while introducing a fresh aesthetic that prioritizes the ceiling as a vital design element. This approach reflects the young couple’s passion for art and creates a unique, dramatic and visually appealing living space. The design harnesses the power of color to define and transform the spatial experience, ensuring a return to modern elegance and artistic expression.