In Milan, on the third floor of a 1930s building, architecture and research have come together to create POSThome, a university residence that embraces all the trends of contemporary living in the post-COVID era.
Recently, more than ever, living spaces have been under the scrutiny of architecture and research—two fields we always knew would eventually merge to design model homes that reflect new ways of living. The home, once simply a place to rest, has now become an office, welcoming remote work alongside traditional domestic activities like sleeping, eating, and reading. Much has been said about this transformation—and more will be discussed—but Claudia Campone, founder of ThirtyOne Design, and Paolo Milani, Professor of Physics of Matter at the University of Milan and Director of CIMaINa (Interdisciplinary Center for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces), have collaborated to bring POSThome to life. This ideal post-pandemic residence is designed to host researchers at Via Teodosio, 15 in Milan.
“A network of excellence is emerging in Milan, where technology, design, industry, and healthcare interact to shape a new urban fabric. CIMaINa’s partnership with POSThome will make academic and technological offerings highly appealing, allowing researchers from abroad to settle here and reinforcing Milan’s role as an international hub,” stated Paolo Milani.
Starting April 2021, cutting-edge medical research will find a home at POSThome, as post-doc and PhD researchers at CIMaINa live in these multifunctional spaces, advancing their research projects in material development and specialized 3D printing technologies for surgical applications.
From the kitchen to private spaces, the design revolves around bold colors and furniture choices that emphasize detail. The bedroom merges work and rest, featuring a study niche and a custom-built bed designed to be multitasking yet intimate. This space also includes a personalized mini-gym, with a mat for home exercises—allowing residents to stay fit and enrich their well-being through movement.
The idea is to integrate living, working, and wellness, crafting a 360-degree experience. University students will inhabit a residence that embodies innovation and a design philosophy aligned with the new normal.
Beyond being a living space, in April, POSThome will host a thematic workshop for students in the Bachelor’s in Design and Master’s programs in Interior Design and Product and Service Design at NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti). The workshop, led by Claudio Larcher (NABA Design Area Leader), will explore post-pandemic scenarios, enabling students to conceptualize the future of different spaces, from private and public environments to work and leisure areas.
As Claudia Campone put it: “POSThome is undergoing an evolution, transforming into a platform that welcomes the region’s top talents—becoming not just a living space but a true urban laboratory.”
