A monastery turned into a residential loft by JM Architecture

This is Como Loft, a project developed by JM Architecture in Milan, Italy. It’s a residential complex build in what used to be a monastery. It’s amazing how a monastery can be transformed into something like this. The metamorphosis was radical and there’s almost no trace of the building’s old history.

Monastery to modern como loft12

The project was completed in 2012. The monastery was remodeled and major changes had to be made, both in terms of design and internal structure. This apartment is one of the resulting spaces created inside the building. The apartment is really a duplex and it was created by adjoining two adjacent units. The differences in height and the ceiling direction are details that allow us a glimpse at the apartment’s original structure.

Monastery to modern como loft12
Monastery to modern como loft12
Monastery to modern como loft12
Monastery to modern como loft12
Monastery to modern como loft12
Monastery to modern como loft12
Monastery to modern como loft12
Monastery to modern como loft12
Monastery to modern como loft12
Monastery to modern como loft12
Monastery to modern como loft12
Monastery to modern como loft12

When combining the two units to form a duplex, the architects tried to invade the space as minimally as possible. They wanted to preserve each apartment’s structure but to also make it functional. To make the space cohesive but to also avoid making any radical changes, an enclosed box was inserted inside the apartment. It contains a small bedroom and two bathrooms. The duplex also has a small foyer, a large gallery that includes the living spaces, the kitchen and the dining room and a master bedroom. The interior décor is minimalist and bright. Traditional artwork and decorations were replaced by a projector that plays images on the wall above the kitchen.