38 DIGS.NET
| 4.16.2021
A
R
C
H
I
T
E
C
T
U
R
E
+
D
E
S
I
G
N
L E G E N D S | V I N C E N Z O D E C OT I I S
W
here does the story for a centuries-old
building truly begin? As it pertains to
Italian artist and architect Vincenzo De
Cotiis, the question is not nearly as interesting as how
the story ends, particularly in the case of the austerely
done residence he designed inside a badly neglected
palazzo near central Milan. The ancient edifice
immediately appealed to De Cotiis, who is quite
partial to the serious and historic, and he commenced
an irreverent deconstruction of its interior so that
the noble building might live again, only beautifully
reborn, stripped of unnecessary decorative gesture
and nearer to its roots.
In seeing beyond crumbling walls and layers of
decorative excess that had been added over decades,
De Cotiis discovered a building both sturdy and
enduring, and, unique for its type, in remarkably
serviceable condition with original floors and ceilings
intact. "It was really quite a miracle to have found
it like that!" confesses De Cotiis, who shares the
(CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) WALL LAMP MADE OF COLORED GLASS AND POLISHED
BRASS; RECYCLED FIBERGLASS AND SILVERED-PLATED BRASS CONSOLE; A STONE, CAST
BRASS AND POLISHED BRASS SIDE TABLE COMPLEMENTS A STOOL MADE OF RECYCLED
AND LACQUERED FIBERGLASS.
(CLOCKWISE
FROM
TOP
LEFT)
DC1508
2015
WALL
LAMP
MADE
OF
COLORED
GLASS
AND
POLISHED
BRASS;
DC1628
(2016)
CONSOLE
MADE
OF
RECYCLED
FIBERGLASS
AND
SILVERED-PLATED
BRASS;
DC1821
(2018)
SIDE
TABLE
MADE
OF
STONE,
CAST
BRASS
AND
POLISHED
BRASS;
DC1735
STOOL
MADE
OF
RECYCLED
FIBERGLASS
AND
LACQUERED
FIBERGLASS.
