At Fublis, our “Design Dialogues” series is dedicated to highlighting the architects and designers who are shaping the built environment with their innovative approaches and creative insights. Through in-depth conversations, we explore their philosophies, challenges, and inspirations, offering valuable perspectives that engage both industry peers and emerging talents.

In this edition, we feature Studio MD41, a dynamic architecture firm known for its pragmatic yet expressive design philosophy. Founded as a distinct entity alongside MIDE Architetti, MD41 applies meticulous attention to detail, materiality, and spatial composition to create buildings that are both functional and deeply resonant with their contexts. The studio’s work spans private residences, public buildings, and adaptive reuse projects, each reflecting a refined aesthetic and a commitment to craftsmanship.

From their newly established headquarters—a converted industrial space that embodies their design ethos—to projects like the 167 Merate School Gym and the Vigasio Kindergarten, Studio MD41 demonstrates a keen ability to balance contemporary innovation with historical and regional sensitivities. Their approach seamlessly integrates precision, adaptability, and a thoughtful relationship with materials and surroundings.

In this conversation, we explore how MD41 navigates the evolving demands of architectural practice, the significance of context-driven design, and their aspirations for the future. Join us as we delve into the minds behind Studio MD41 and uncover the principles that define their distinctive architectural language.

Studio MD41 describes its design approach as “pragmatic, measured, and aimed at sartorial care.” Could you elaborate on how this philosophy translates into specific design decisions in your residential projects?

Studio MD41: In 2024, MD41 was founded as one of the two business units of MIDE srl, alongside MIDE Architetti. The latter focuses on unique and exclusive residences, and it is from there that everything began. In 2010, my partner and I started designing increasingly complex homes, through which we sought to better understand the kind of imprint we wanted to give to our vision. Over time, certain elements, such as the use of exposed concrete and the clean lines of the structures, became more and more evident. Today, when clients come to the studio, they do so because they recognize our attention to detail and our desire to leave our signature in every material, piece of furniture, or finish we choose to complete their homes. Over the years, we have expanded and begun working on significant public and private projects. For this reason, last year we decided to divide our portfolio and give two distinct names to the activities: the philosophy remains the same, but the type of client changes.

Your studio’s new headquarters is described as a “solid manifesto” of your design method. What specific design decisions in this project best represent Studio MD41’s architectural philosophy, and how do they set the tone for your future projects?

Studio MD41: When we meet the clients, our studio is like a “business card”. We wanted it to fully reflect our approach and the design philosophy we apply to their requests. Clean lines, exposed concrete, and open spaces are key elements that define the environment. On the upper floor, created thanks to the building’s significant elevation, there is the operational area of the office, where we work closely with our collaborators. This allows us to share and promote ongoing projects with everyone, inspiring and instilling our values to ensure that we create designs aligned with our vision.

The transformation of an old industrial carpentry workshop and dance school into a modern architectural studio is a significant adaptive reuse project. What were the biggest challenges in preserving the building’s original character while ensuring it met contemporary workspace needs?

Studio MD41: The biggest challenge was creating a space that truly represented us. We chose to preserve the building’s typical industrial roof and exterior, keeping them as close to the original as possible to maintain a connection with the surrounding urban and industrial pattern. Once through the metal entrance door, the spaces have been arranged to provide a comfortable working environment for our collaborators and us. On the ground floor, we have the meeting room where we host clients and suppliers, along with a relax area and service spaces. Upstairs, you’ll find the open space we mentioned earlier.

Studio MD41 places great emphasis on the relationship between context and design intuition. How do you balance the need for contemporary innovation while staying true to regional or historical influences, particularly in the Veneto region?

Studio MD41: It only takes stepping out of our office to realize how much architectural history is still present in our country. When designing a new building, whether residential or public, the first thing we do is research the history of the site and understand its surroundings. In the Veneto plain, we can find various types of structures: 17th-century villas, old rustic-style farmhouses, as well as old factories from the 1950s that often detract from the aesthetic of the surrounding landscape. Our goal is to leave our mark on buildings and areas that are very different from one another, but all in need of a fresh, contemporary vision focused on the future and the challenges of energy efficiency.

The project Merate School Gym aims to create a “distinctive contemporary architecture with strong expressive and symbolic impact” while fitting into a constrained site. Could you elaborate on the specific design elements or architectural choices that reinforce this expressive and symbolic intent?

Studio MD41: The characteristics of the site inspired us to design the project as a connection between the interior and the exterior. We decided to demolish the existing structure and start from scratch with a design that better reflected our vision. For this reason, the new building features large windows on two sides of the gym, allowing those who view it to immediately recognize its sporting function. The interiors, kept essential and clean according to our style, are made distinctive by the use of yellow on the walls, which infuses the space with energy. We believe that such a vibrant color integrates perfectly with the purpose of the space.

The use of prefabricated panels in the façade was inspired by the surrounding brick walls. Beyond aesthetics, what advantages did this material choice bring in terms of construction efficiency, sustainability, or long-term durability?

Studio MD41: As with our other projects, we always aim to integrate as much as possible with the context in which we place the new buildings. For the Merate Gym project, we decided to echo the horizontality of the brick structures around it, while also finding a material that would harmonize well with the environment. The choice of prefabricated concrete sheeting allowed us to give the building a fresh look, making it easily recognizable within the area and providing a contemporary touch to this space dedicated to sports.

Furthermore, this cladding has improved the building’s structure and protected it from external weather conditions.

Your work has been recognized both in Italy and internationally through awards, publications, and teaching opportunities. How does global recognition impact your design approach? Do you find that it pushes the studio toward a more universal architectural language, or do you remain deeply rooted in Italian traditions?

Studio MD41: We believe it is essential to observe innovation and emerging trends in our sector at an international level, but in our projects, we remain convinced that it is equally important to respect and stay true to the contexts in which we operate. There are numerous examples of international architecture and design studios that we follow with interest to deepen our understanding of their cultural contexts and discover new perspectives that, in some cases, have not yet reached us. However, we are convinced that the strength of our projects lies precisely in this synthesis between contemporary visions and a careful observation of our surroundings.

Designing a kindergarten requires balancing functionality, safety, and a sense of playfulness. How did you ensure that the architectural elements—such as the pink pigmented concrete, perforated sheet metal facades, and wooden structures—contribute not just structurally, but also to the sensory and emotional experience of young children in the Kindergarten in Vigasio, Italy?

Studio MD41: We thought about how to combine elements that we often use in our projects with the need to make this space suitable for young children. We wanted it to be playful, while also structurally efficient for its intended use. The privacy of the classrooms should not limit the entry of natural light into the spaces, which is why we chose perforated metal for the exterior facades and large, unobstructed windows opening onto internal courtyards. Similarly, the use of different textures seemed to be the best choice to sensorially stimulate the learning of the young students. Also, in all the kindergarten we have designed, we chose a vibrant color that harmonized well with all the different environments. In this case, pink!

With 270 children using the facility, how did you address acoustics within the design to create a comfortable learning environment? Were specific materials or spatial configurations chosen to manage noise levels effectively?

Studio MD41: The most important intervention we chose to make was to design two distinct areas: one for the classrooms and another for the service spaces dedicated to the public section. In all our buildings, we collaborate with professional acousticians and look for solutions that allow us to comply with national regulations, as in the case of the Vigasio kindergarten, to make the environments as soundproof as possible, both from the outside and between the individual classrooms.

As Studio MD41 continues to shape spaces that blend functionality with strong architectural identity, what legacy do you hope to leave through your projects? How do you envision the evolution of your firm’s design philosophy in the coming years?

Studio MD41: We hope to apply our design philosophy to increasingly larger and more significant buildings, ones that have a positive impact on the communities in which we operate and remain efficient for as long as possible. Over the past fifteen years, we have gone from being two architects to a continuously expanding team, surrounding ourselves with attentive and highly qualified collaborators whom we know will help us spread our architectural vision further and allow us to grow even more. In the coming years, important challenges lie ahead, and MD41 is ready to face them.