Renowned Architect and Designer Roberto Gerosa Creates Whimsical Wonderland in Milan Workshop Home
With a hand-rolled cigarette between his fingers, 71-year-old architect and designer Roberto Gerosa rushes around his cavernous former lumber workshop turned home in Milan’s Villapizzone district. The space is filled with an eclectic mix of objects that reflect his unique style and lifelong passion for collecting forgotten treasures.
Gerosa moved into the 2,100-square-foot space in 2020, seeking a place where he could both live and work. Instead of creating a typical architect’s loft, he has transformed the space into a warm and irreverent home and atelier that showcases his love for vintage furniture and textiles.
Known for reimagining homes for Milan’s bohemian aristocracy, Gerosa’s designs are dramatic and whimsical, filled with custom furniture, abundant greenery, and patterned vintage textiles. His spaces exude elegance and patina, with a touch of old-world charm that sets them apart from modern design trends.
Born in a seaside village on Italy’s northwestern Mediterranean coast, Gerosa’s upbringing in a construction family laid the foundation for his career in architecture and design. He studied architecture in Florence, where he met his late wife, artist Camilla d’Afflitto, and honed his craft before spending time in New York designing sculptural lamps.
Today, Gerosa’s home is a testament to his creative vision, with lamps dominating almost every corner of the living space. Pieces of furniture he created for Milan’s Eclectica Gallery in the 1990s and 2000s are scattered throughout the house, alongside his own handcrafted lighting fixtures.
Despite the seemingly chaotic mix of objects, there is a method to Gerosa’s madness. He believes in understanding the space and bringing out its unique atmosphere, rather than imposing a specific design style. At night, when the dozens of lamps are lit, the home transforms into an inviting space where Gerosa often entertains friends with delicious meals and lively conversations.
For Gerosa, design is not just about taste, but about creating a space that enhances and enriches life. His home is a reflection of his passion for collecting, curating, and repurposing forgotten objects into works of art that tell a story of a lifetime dedicated to creativity and craftsmanship.
