Self Modern

Self Modern is a domestic project and a reflection on the relationship between twentieth-century architecture and the demands of contemporary living. Tenet’s approach critically engages with the existing context, balancing a rigorous respect for heritage with a willingness to experiment.

The flat is located on the first floor of the Mondelli building, a post-war Milanese masterpiece designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni in 1961. Rational yet not strictly rationalist, the building’s sculptural volume – characterised by continuous clinker cladding and a lively window composition – stands as a unique example within the city, isolated on Piazza Carbonari.

The project proposes a dialogue between past and future, reorganising spaces to meet contemporary needs while retaining key historical features. The iconic glass door, the oblique living room wall, and the red built-in wardrobes are restored and juxtaposed with bespoke, modern solutions: a new, welcoming entrance, a workspace carved from the former kitchen, and a reconfiguration of the bedrooms, including an en suite bathroom for the single room. The kitchen is relocated into the old bedroom, connecting to the living area via the historic glass door.

Material choices reflect a deliberate contrast between old and new, combining tactile and refined elements: custom terrazzo tiles, brushed steel kitchen units, mirrored surfaces, resin floors, and lacquered red wood. The result is a thoughtful reinterpretation of a space that celebrates continuity and transformation, respecting its history while embracing a distinctly modern sensibility.