On the occasion of Milan Design Week 2024, the international creative production company and magazine C41 unveils in partnership with IDNTT ‘Foresteria’—a cutting-edge and design-led accommodation for modern travellers in Milan. Situated at 21 Via Vincenzo Monti within the headquarters of the international IDNTT group, this 40-square-metre enclave, crafted in collaboration with leading Italian design brands, embodies the quintessence of contemporary Milanese style. ‘Foresteria’, stands as a distinctive ‘home away from home’, offering a serene sanctuary in the heart of Italy’s design capital to those who crave constant immersion in refined, and authentic, aesthetics.The term “foresteria,” derives from the Latin word “foris” meaning ”outside,” historically symbolises a temporary residence for travellers and wanderers.
Nestled within the heart of Milan, at Via Vincenzo Monti 21, this innovative accommodation is curated by C41 in collaboration with the architecture firm, Abstract Studio. Located in the Magenta neighbourhood, renowned for its refined allure, Foresteria immerses guests in a quintessential Milanese ambiance, surrounded by traditional cafes, chic boutiques, and iconic landmarks. “Foresteria fits into the purely residential fabric of the city while also immersing the user in an adjacent reality oriented towards cosmopolitan dynamics. Those who stay for the night have the opportunity to appreciate not only the room made available but also the living spaces and insert themselves in a stimulating and creative situation,” explains architect Andrea Quartieri from Abstract Studio.
Upon entering, guests encounter an open space designed to function as a bourgeois yet dynamic and modern living room. “It will be possible to work in an elegant and comfortable coworking space, feeling, however, the warmth of home thanks to a careful choice of furniture and finishes,” adds the architect. The Room in Foresteria is another area intended to be more adherent to the primary function of hospitality, while still being able to transform in style should it be necessary for collaborations with brands and sponsors.
This innovative concept promises a curated design experience throughout the year, catering to individuals seeking inspiration and comfort in Milan’s dynamic landscape. “We anticipate that a diverse audience will find the need to stay here, drawn by the multifunctional nature of the space. People from the world of design, fashion industry or entrepreneurs, are undoubtedly the people to whom we have addressed ourselves, but we set no limits to the enjoyment and exchange that are at the very heart of the concept,” says Quartieri.
Foresteria is housed within Spazio Monti, a versatile 300-square-metre venue capable of hosting launch events and guest receptions while managing visitors flow during Milan Design Week 2024. “It was necessary to create a dynamic and pulsating space that reflected the city in which it fits in, trying to take its positive aspects of aggregation, fluidity of action and thought, and trying to include as much as possible every user in the space. Make them part of a project that starts first and foremost with the concept of a cosy living room!” explains Quartieri.
The space has been crafted in collaboration with leading Italian design brands, and boasts an open layout featuring a double room accompanied by a private bathroom. Adorned in a palette of crisp whites and verdant greens, accentuated by sleek steel and opulent textiles, the atmosphere exudes a gracious embrace where Italian design converges with cutting-edge advancements. “The aesthetic of Foresteria corresponds to a very specific choice: we wanted as much as possible to create a space in which abstraction and minimalism dominated — a dreamlike core of recharging from the numerous stimuli of the city,” explains Quartieri.
‘Foresteria’, crafted in collaboration with the architecture firm Abstract Studio, unveils an open layout featuring a double room accompanied by a private bathroom. Enveloped in a palette dominated by hues of crisp whites and verdant greens, embellished with accents of sleek steel and opulent textiles, the atmosphere radiates a gracious embrace where Italian design converges with cutting-edge technical and aesthetic advancements. Blending comfort with elegance, guests are enveloped in Aplomb and Nevicava fabrics from Dedar, complemented by B-Line Multichair, Merano sofa and armchairs, coffee table and container trolley, USM Haller bedside table, sideboard and wardrobe by USM Modular Furniture, and ReFramed bed. The sleek faucets from the FFQT collection by QuadroDesign, the Bon Jour, My Lines, Mini Button and Tab F led by Flos, and the moquette by Besana elevate the space further with craftsmanship and timeless appeal. Also, the space is enriched by Ready to Hang mirrors. This collaborative endeavour celebrates the vibrant creative community of Milan’s design sphere, resonating deeply with C41’s own ethos—a melting pot of diverse creativities, spanning disciplines, crafts, and visions. Intended for individuals who possess an innate appreciation for quality and beauty, Foresteria beckons as a sanctuary for those who seek to immerse themselves in refined living, wherever they are.
“Through these collaborations, we’ve refined our concept, enhancing each individual product and unifying the overall aesthetic with a neutral colour palette. By harmonising finishes and textures, we’ve seamlessly integrated objects and fabrics from diverse stylistic backgrounds,” says the architect.
At the base of it all is a carpet with a slightly alienating touch of acid green, further suggesting the theme of abstraction while recalling the plants located in the other places of Spazio Monti — a fundamental element of liveliness. The bathroom in Foresteria also echoes the concept of essentiality and minimalism: neutral finishes and steel fixtures with clean lines. Respect for the materiality and the essence of the products’ design, putting decorum aimed at trends in the background.
Foresteria stands as a distinctive home away from home, providing a serene sanctuary in the heart of Italy’s design capital. It celebrates the vibrant creative community of Milan’s design sphere, resonating deeply with C41’s ethos—a melting pot of diverse creativities, disciplines, and visions.
