The Nest

Active in real estate since the 1960s, the Paletti Group has always sought to enhance the image of Milan through a “handmade” approach—shaping each property development as a unique piece, tailored to the specific characteristics of its context.

The building at Via Fontana 20 is set within the interior of a city block in central Milan. On the site of a multi-storey car park built in the 1960s, a demolition and reconstruction project has given rise to a wooden cylinder and a green cube, housing 39 apartments. Though seamlessly integrated, the cube and the cylinder have separate entrances and stairwells: a choice driven by the differing internal floor levels.

The façade cladding choices serve a dual purpose: to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of the materials—enhancing the building’s overall energy performance—and to emphasise the distinct identities of the two volumes. The cylinder is entirely clad in timber slats, while the cube features a green façade on its north side, with loggias and bow-window frames that project out to align with the vegetation layer.