DARSENA LIVING – Coliving Design in Milan

A new model for shared living in the heart of Milan

This wasn’t just another residential project. It was a vision for how young professionals and students want to live today.

When Kervis SGR, one of Italy’s leading real estate investment managers, approached us to design their innovative Build to Rent development in Milan, we knew this was an opportunity to redefine urban living. Moreover, this coliving design Milan project became our entry point into the emerging Build to Rent sector, combining interior design expertise with creative direction.

In 2023, we transformed a historic building in Porta Ticinese into Darsena Living—a coliving space that demonstrates how strategic design can enhance both investment value and resident experience.

The challenge? Create a space that balances community and privacy. A place where people connect, but also retreat. Where design supports both.

Three design concepts for one coliving vision

In coliving design, one size doesn’t fit all.

For Darsena Living, we developed three distinct interior design styles, each tailored to different apartment typologies within the building. However, all three maintained aesthetic coherence and functional consistency throughout the project.

Why three styles? Because residents have different tastes, different budgets, and different needs. Instead of imposing a single vision, we created variety within unity—giving future tenants genuine choice while maintaining the project’s overall identity.

Shared spaces that work: the anatomy of coliving design in Milan

Coliving design in Milan requires understanding how people actually live together.

Each apartment features a generous shared living area with a fully equipped kitchen—the social heart of the home. Additionally, three private bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms ensure personal space and comfort.

This layout isn’t accidental. Indeed, it’s the result of studying coliving behaviors: people want community, but on their terms. They need spaces that encourage connection without forcing it. Consequently, we designed zones that naturally facilitate interaction while respecting individual privacy.

The kitchen becomes the meeting point. The bedrooms become sanctuaries. The balance works.

Build to Rent Milan: design meets real estate innovation

Working with Kervis SGR on this Build to Rent project gave us deep expertise in an emerging residential model that’s reshaping urban living across Europe.

Build to Rent requires a different approach than traditional residential design. Furthermore, it demands spaces that are durable, flexible, and appealing to an international audience. In fact, every design decision must consider both immediate impact and long-term management—crucial factors for institutional investors like Kervis.

At Darsena Living, we served as both designers and creative directors. Therefore, we controlled not just how spaces looked, but how they functioned operationally—from material selection to maintenance considerations to user experience over time.

Interior design that makes coliving work

Coliving design isn’t just about aesthetics. Rather, it’s about creating environments where strangers become flatmates, and apartments become communities.

Our approach for Darsena Living focused on:

Welcoming shared spaces – Open kitchens with ample seating, natural light, and intuitive layouts that encourage gathering.

Private retreats – Bedrooms designed as complete living units, not just places to sleep. Each with its own bathroom, storage, and personality.

Durability meets style – Materials and finishes that age well under heavy use while maintaining visual appeal.

Darsena Living demonstrates how thoughtful coliving design in Milan can serve both residents and investors. Moreover, it proves that shared living doesn’t mean compromising on quality or comfort.

From Porta Ticinese to the future of urban housing, this project showed us that coliving is more than a trend. It’s a response to how cities are evolving—and how design must evolve with them.

Darsena Living, Milan, 2023
Client: Kervis SGR
Interior Design & Creative Direction: VANDA Designers
Location: Porta Ticinese, Milan
Typology: Coliving, Build to Rent, residential design