1

The Brief

When it comes to Milan Design Weeks of the past, there has only ever been one watering hole that really matters: Bar Basso, the tried-and-true institution where the industry gathers each night. But this year, there was ample buzz surrounding an alternative destination for post-festivity nightcaps: Bar Nico, which opened last fall. One of the first projects by Sagoma Studio, the wine bar reflects firm co-founders Marco Mannacio Soderini and Benito Zanzico’s shared commitment to stripping interiors back to their pure essence. In this case, that translates to a stark but sophisticated hot spot. “Our reference was Edward Hopper’s paintings,” explains Soderini. “We wanted to create something that would leave everything visible, piquing the interest of passersby.”

2

The Setting

As the newly reinstated “Bolognese” and “Pastificio” signs above Bar Nico’s windows suggest, the 75-square-metre storefront in Milan’s Acquabella neighbourhood was once home to a pasta factory. After that, it wheeled and dealed as a tire shop. Inspired by these past lives, Sagoma Studio preserved the roughed-up terrazzo flooring and repurposed some of the previous tenant’s metal shelving — kicking off an industrial aesthetic that carries throughout the project.

3

The Design

New inserts in concrete and steel build upon the bar’s rugged past. “The textural counter is covered in a plaster that was typically used in the old buildings of Milan — a coarse mix of sand and cement,” Soderini explains. While this element conveys solidity, Sagoma Studio still wanted to keep the mood loose, hence the polycarbonate ceiling panels, which filter lighting that can cycle through various colours. “They’re usually white or orange during aperitivo hours and then red after dinner. Just by changing the lighting, it gives the effect of being in a different place each time.” 

4

The Details

While Bar Nico’s washroom is another exercise in austerity, not all the finishes in the project skew cool and grey. To add a little warmth, its designers filled the seating area with boxy, Donald Judd–esque wooden benches, plus a classic assortment of café tables and bentwood chairs. These archetypal bistro designs (not to mention the wine bottle candles that often accent the tables) make for a romantic contrast to the space’s otherwise steely interior. “We wanted to create some- thing that was very simple and understandable to everyone while also creating a pleasing atmosphere,” Soderini says. 

5

The Scene

Many of this year’s Milan Design Week exhibitors championed deep red and industrial metal. Bar Nico, for its part, offers the perfect demonstration of how to put these ideas into action. And while Sagoma Studio’s design helped convince at least a few of this year’s international visitors to break with tradition and venture out to a new locale, Soderini isn’t trying to dethrone the king of Salone del Mobile nightlife. “Bar Basso remains an important institution and reference point for everything it represents,” he says. “But it’s nice to know that some of its charm can also be found in new places.” His advice? Order a bottle of the Campedello.