If you had just one day at design week in Milan, how would you spend it? That’s the question I posed to myself when I landed in the city for its 63rd edition. The answer turned out to be: See 11 exhibitions, attend two dinners, shake upwards of 50 hands, take more than 1,100 photos, and set a new personal record for most steps taken in a day at 23,532. (Take that, Duncan Nielsen!)

Between a room made entirely from cork, a maze wrapped in faux fur, and a decrepit space with loose floorboards underfoot, photographer Olga Mai and I were able to cover a lot of ground—more than eight miles worth. Here’s everything we saw on Thursday last week as we zigzagged across Milan.

Nilufar Depot (10:00-10:40 a.m.)

On Thursday morning, we were off to a late start because someone
missed the train. But I was able to catch up with Olga around 10:20 a.m. just outside of Nilufar Depot, a Milanese gallery and staple of Milan Design Week that’s known for its juxtapositions of older icons and newer designs. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the depot (Nilufar Gallery proper has been around since 1979), Nilufar designed its presentation to function as something of a walking theater, unfolding as five acts across its three floors. When walking through the space, it almost felt like exploring an impeccably curated vintage store, as familiar floor lamps, tables, and chairs stood against brand new designs. The effect was a fantastic tasting menu of where we’ve come from in furniture design, and where we might be headed.

Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.

Project Details:

Location: Brunswick Heads, Australia

Architect: Fraser Mudge Architects / @frasermudge

Footprint: 2,131 square feet

Builder: Morada Build

Structural Engineer: Phillip Wallace

Landscape Design: Cooke Landscape Architecture

Lighting Design: LO-FI

Interior Design: Fraser Mudge Architects with We Are Triibe

Photographer: Tom Ross / @tomross.xyz

From the Architect: “The project recomposes an original Brunswick Heads beach cottage, providing a modern addition to a classic ’70s Australian coastal streetscape. A new half level is added above and below the existing (raised) split-level home, leaving four split levels connected via a central staircase.

“The house was designed for a family of four interested in living in an unconventional but small building footprint. Each half level has its own personal connection to a series of gardens, including roof gardens and a garden void that provides each level with it’s own unique atmosphere.

“The covered outdoor area is pushed out from the building, not only defining the garden void but allowing winter sun to pass over the single-story kitchen/living wing and fall into the space.

“The primary en suite is designed as an outdoor space, without any windows, which defines a direct connection to the roof garden. Hinged timber screens can be adjusted to control light and privacy to the area.”

Location: 412 Glen Holly Drive, Pasadena, California 

 Price: $1,895,000

Year Built: 1938

Architect: William Kesling

Footprint: 2,106 square feet (3 bedrooms, 3 baths)

Lot Size: 0.14 Acres

From the Agent: “A rare 1938 streamline moderne home prominently anchored in the cherished Poppy Peak Hills area of Pasadena. Kesling’s unquestionable creativity and design talents were only superseded by his apparent financial misdeeds—while serving in San Quentin for fraud in 1937, he allegedly allowed the John L. Hudson Construction Company to oversee and sign off on the completion of the home. The uppermost level has direct access to the living room, dining area, galley kitchen (with a newer dishwasher and Sub-Zero refrigerator), and a half bath. A broad outdoor deck, reminiscent of a steamliner’s bow, provides effortless alfresco entertaining and captivating hillside views. The primary bedroom offers a full bath with dual vanity sinks and a walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms, a complimentary full bath with a step-in shower, and an adjacent balcony complete the middle level. The garage, laundry, and storage can be found on the lower level.”

Although the Indian city of Rajkot is located in the west-coast state of Gujarat, it’s far enough inland that its climate is hot, with daytime highs averaging over 90 degrees for eight months a year, and over 100 from April through June. That’s why, when moving into an apartment tower there, architect Abhishek Patel and his family (including his wife and parents) chose a west-facing unit on the top floor, 14 stories up, to take advantage of cooling evening breezes.

Because the tower is located next to Saurashtra University, with its lower-slung buildings and a large cricket field, “It’s a seamless view,” Abhishek says. “I can enjoy sunsets and even cricket matches from my balcony.”