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Bringing Light to Life: Il Prisma’s Vision of Future-Ready Architecture

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Il Prisma is an international architecture and planning firm with Italian roots, dedicated to designing spaces and experiences for the human being. With offices in London, Milan, Rome, and Lecce, the company operates through three core Business Units: Cityscape, Worksphere, and Destination. Driven by the question "What is the future of human experience?", Il Prisma believes that every transformation requires a space where it can unfold. By working at the intersection of people and organizations, it creates environments that are not just functional but alive – with energy, purpose, and connection. In essence, Il Prisma designs more than spaces; it shapes human life. Much like a prism refracts light into a spectrum of colours, the firm captures the rays of innovation and transforms them into complex architectural experiences, always placing human beings at the centre. This vision is well exemplified in two major projects: Duo Milan and Bernina 7.

 Duo Milan Porta Nuova, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Marriott, Milan, Italy Italy <br /> Image copyright: @Il Prisma
Duo Milan Porta Nuova, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Marriott, Milan, Italy Italy
Image copyright: @Il Prisma
 Duo Milan Porta Nuova, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Marriott, Milan, Italy Italy <br /> Image copyright: @Vito Corvasce
Duo Milan Porta Nuova, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Marriott, Milan, Italy Italy
Image copyright: @Vito Corvasce

Duo Milan: a Hotel with a "Dual Soul"

Located in the heart of Milan, between the sleek modernity of Porta Nuova and the dynamic energy of the Central Station, Duo Milan Porta Nuova is the latest Tribute Portfolio hotel by Marriott. Transformed from a 1950s office building into a contemporary hospitality hub, the project reflects Il Prisma’s ability to honour a site’s history while embracing its evolving identity.

At the heart of this transformation is the concept of a “dual soul”, which inspired the hotel’s name. The design seamlessly blends business and leisure, elegance and playfulness, creating an inviting and vibrant environment that bridges Porta Nuova’s past with its future. The Destination team at Il Prisma designed the hotel to merge work and relaxation, elegance and creativity, while positioning it as a gateway to the city, a place where well-being is prioritized.

The design draws on the core values of the Tribute brand: visual appeal, authentic service, and a lively social atmosphere. Interiors feature bold colour contrasts and visual elements inspired by railways and industry, paying homage to the building’s historical roots. Common areas are designed as informal hubs where guests can work, socialize, or relax, supported by events that reflect the bleisure spirit, that is where business meets leisure. Unexpected design details, especially in lighting, create a dynamic and engaging experience that intertwines the hotel’s history with Porta Nuova’s evolving character.

Bernina7, Milan, Italy <br /> Image copyright: @Il Prisma
Bernina7, Milan, Italy
Image copyright: @Il Prisma
Bernina7, Milan, Italy <br /> Image copyright: @Il Prisma
Bernina7, Milan, Italy
Image copyright: @Il Prisma

Bernina7: A Catalyst for Urban Transformation

Located in the developing area of Scalo Farini, Bernina7 introduces a new way of living and working through its innovative “Open” concept, anticipating the urban challenges of Milan 2030. The building is not just a container, but a catalyst for change: an outpost that integrates flexible workspaces, environmental sustainability, and advanced connectivity.

Il Prisma’s forward-thinking approach is anchored in four fundamental principles: Open Work introduces innovative working methods with flexible spaces, terraces, and outdoor areas designed to foster productivity and well-being; Open Square connects public and private spaces with a modular piazza and two “magnetic” building wings that enliven the street, increasing safety and social interaction; Open Landscape promotes sustainability with green roofs and urban plazas that enhance local biodiversity, in anticipation of the future urban park; Open Scalo Farini anticipates the changes brought by the area’s redevelopment, focusing on sustainability and connectivity to improve the tenant experience.

An example of excellence in terms of sustainability and connectivity, Bernina7 is already LEED Platinum certified for eco-sustainability and WiredScore Gold certified for digital connectivity. The building, better described as a continuously evolving hub, guarantees resilient infrastructure and advanced connectivity, with a pre-installed fibre optic backbone, establishing itself in the urban landscape as a reference point for those seeking technological efficiency and futuristic workspaces. Ultimately, Bernina 7 is more than an architectural project; it is a vision of urban regeneration, where environment, innovation, and community coexist in perfect harmony.

 

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