monolithic metal module hosts workspace, lounge, and kitchen at studioinòci's office in milan

recycled metal module anchors Nucleo Headquarters

Italian firm Studioinòci has converted a former gym inside an office building in northern Milan into the headquarters for a web content creation company. Anchored by a prominent monolith, a central fixed element designed for versatility, the Nucleo Headquarters embraces raw industrial aesthetics, integrating sustainable design principles throughout.

The monolith appears as a closed microarchitecture obtained from a single mass of material capable of opening up completely and fragmenting into all its functions. Crafted from recycled metal elements, it acts as a multifunctional unit that contains essential office functions, dividing storage, a kitchenette, and relaxation areas within. It is constructed with a modular metal frame atop the existing raised, chequered floor, maintaining a raw, industrial finish, with exposed welds and bolts for an intentionally unrefined appearance.

all images by Martina Cora

Studioinòci envelops the office in charcoal and black

Studioinòci’s broader design concept at Nucleo Headquarters extends a dark-toned material palette throughout the 200-square-meter space, using charcoal and black finishes. Exposed corrugated piping, arranged in geometric patterns along the ceiling, forms the main lighting system, with linear fixtures casting an even, cyberpunk-inspired light. Dramatic base lighting around the monolith gives it a floating effect, accentuating its presence in the open-plan layout. Metal detailing, echoing the monolith’s composition, continues through the office with custom fan coil covers, baseboards, and metal restroom fixtures. Existing wall finishes and the existing chequered floor were preserved and complemented by new concrete tiles and new geometric compositions, integrating seamlessly with the space’s overall industrial aesthetic.

Before the core element’s construction, there was a study phase on how to divide the process into multiple phases for assembly system on site. Eco-design informed the monolith’s form, utilizing recycled upright pillars and crosspieces based directly on the floating floor. Built with recycled microperforated metal sheets, its surfaces are structured to house servers on one side and a kitchenette on the other, with a relaxation area enclosed at its end. The design’s adaptability ensures easy transportation and reassembly, minimizing material waste.

Studioinòci has converted a former gym into a headquarter for a web content creation company